US2325739A - Nozzle for vacuum cleaners - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 3, 1943. c, BROCK 2,325,739

NOZZLE FOR VACUUM CLEANERS I Filed Feb. 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Clam/7 f B BY 42 E Na? 3, 1943- C. A. BROCK 2,325,739

NOZZLE FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed Feb. 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A ORN EY Patented Aug. 3, 1943-.

NOZZLE roa VACUUM CLEANERS Clarence A. Brock, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Rex'air, Inc., Detroit, Mich a corporation of Delaware Application February 21', 1941, Serial No. 379,920 6 Claims. (01. 15-157) This invention relates'to nozzles for vacuum cleaners, the principal object being the provision of a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner that is simple in construction, efficient in operation and relatively economical to produce.

Objects of the invention include the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle having an improved means for dislodging threadsand the like from the surface of a carpet, rug or the like; the provision of a device oil-the type described having an improved comb structure associated therewith for the purpose oi aiding the picking up of threads, lint and the like from the surface of a carpet or rug; the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a comb movably associated therewith and so constructed and related to the vacuum cleaner nozzle structure as to insure withdrawal of threads or the like encountered by the comb into the nozzle; the provision oi a comb structure for a vacuum cleaner nozzle that is normally operative but may be rendered inoperative when desired; the provision of a comb structure for a vacuum cleaner nozzle or the like including a pivotallymounted comb structure adapted when in one position to substantially contact the surface of a rug or carpet being cleaned and when inanother position to be substantially out of obstructing relation with respect to the throat of the vacuum cleaner nozzle: the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a comb element. movably mounted therein together with operating means therefor adapted to engage the surface of a carpet or rug being cleaned and adapted to actuate the comb between two opposite limits of itsmovable position each time the direction of movement of the nozzle on the surface being cleaned is reversed the movement 01' the comb serving to pick up threads, lint or the like which'it has gathered from the surface being cleaned and carrying such threads or the like out of contact with the surface being cleaned and up into the nozzle where it is easily handled by the flow of air therethrough; the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a'movable comb associated therewith so constructed and arranged comb construction for a vacuum cleaner nozzle and means for mounting the same.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle including a laterally elongated body portion and a hinge member pivotally secured thereto and interiorly communicated with the interior of the bodyportion, together with an improved form of packing between the body portion and the hinge member serving to effectively seal the joints between them against the leakage of air; the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle of the type described in which the hinge member is provided with a plurality of grooves in its lower surface which may be positioned, by suitable positionin of the hinge member to permit a'plurality of relatively small streams of air at high velocity to pass therethrough, and when the wand and, therefore, the hinge member is in another oi. their pivotal positions such channels or grooves are rendered inoperative for the purpose described.

Further objects of the invention include the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle including an elongated metallic body portion and a substantially surrounding bumper or padding element, the two being so constructed and arranged as to cooperate with one another to provide a streamlined. housing; the provision of a vacuum cleanernozzle including a transversely elongated metallic body portion providing angularly disposed walls, together with a bumper element removably received thereby and cooperating there with to provide a nozzle structure of improved operation and appearance.

The above being among the objects of the present invention the same consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then claimed, having the above and other objects in view.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate suitableembodiments of the present invention as tobeoperated between its opposite limits of movement during a normal cleaning operation and so constructed and arranged when in one of its positions it partially obstructs the flow ofair into .thenozzle thereby to provide a highvelocity stream of air to clean the comb of any threads or other foreign material which it may have .picked up from the carpet; the provision of a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a comb associated therewith for substantial contact with the surface of movement;

and in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several different views,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a vacuum cleaner and an associated wand terminating in one form of a nozzle constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the vacuum cleaner nozzle shown in Fla. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the nozzle shown in Figs- 2 and 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2 and illustrating the comb element in its normal position of operation during forward movement of the nozzle;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating the comb element in an intermediat position of thecomb elementin greater detail;

rug. '1 is'avlew slmllar to Figs. and e butillus trating the comb element at the opposite limit of its movement from that shown in: Fig. 5, the

same being its normal position during rearward movement of the nozzle; 7

Fig. 8 is aslightly: enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on'the of Fist-6. and illustrating the construction of the operative edge Fig. 9 isa partially broken top Plan view of 10 a vacuum cleaner nozzle incorporating a comb similar to that shown in the previous views but as a part of an improved structure;

Fig.1'0 is a rear elevational view of the nozzle showninFigJl; I

Fig-11 is a side elevationalsview of the nozzle shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the nozzle shown in Figs. 9, 10cm 11,

taken centrally of the hinge member and as on theline i2-I2 of Fig; 10;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line l3--l3 of Fig; 10 and illustrating the method of supporting the comb element therein:

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary, enlarged bottom plan view showing the undersurface of one end of the nozzle shown in Fig. 110 and taken looking in the direction of the arrows l4-i 4 construction with greater clarity;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary horizontal;

sectional view taken on the line l5l5 of Fig. 11 t and particularly illustrating the seal between the sides of the hinge member and the main bodyjgt,

portion of the nozzle;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line IG'|6 of Fig. 10 and illustrating a means for rendering the comb element 1m on the market today. one of these is that type so in which the vacuum producing mechanism and the'nozzle therefor are built and operated as a 'unit andare usually contained within a single casing. The other type is that in which the nozzle is made relatively small and provided with a socalled wand or tubular handle for manipulating the same and is connected by a flexible hose to a suitable source of vacuum or vacuum producing apparatus. In the-first of the above described,

types and because of the source of power for go.

the vacuum producing mechanism, usually an electric motor, is closely associated with the nozzle, it is possible to incorporate arotatin'g brush means in the nozzle driven from the vacuum the picking of threads, lint and other material of Fig. 10, illustrating furtherdetails of the .comb

which adheresto the surface of a carpet, rug or e the likeqvith considerable tenacityythi without appreciably increasing the bulk of the device which in any event is necessarily somewhat bulky.

The advantage of the second type of structure is that a relatively small and light nozzle may be employed which is-easily handled, is not tiring to operate, andmay be projected into spaces and areas incapable of being reached with vacu m cleaners of the first described' type. It is not possible to incorporate a rotating brush in the nozzles of the second type of vacuum cleaners as above described without destroying the veryadvantages of this type of vacuum cleaner as compared to the first type. that is to do so would necessarily so increase its size, bulk and weight of the nozzle as to destroy its otherwise inherent advantages,

Much time and money has been spent particularly by manufacturers of the second type of vacuum cleaner above described .to develop a novel strucfire which would with certainty pick up threads. lint and the like which adhered tenaciopsly tothe surface of the carpet or rug without destroying the inherent advantages of,- this type of nozzle, but as far as I am aware up to the present time there has been no successful commercial development in this respect of any importance, 1 amaware that such prior attempts have involved the use of a so-called comb, an element having a serrated edge arranged in con- Junction with the nozzle and positioned in operative relation with respect to the surface of a carpet or rug. being cleaned so as to mechanically engage and rel ase threads, lint or the like adhering to the s ace of the carpet during movement of the nozzle thereover, but these have not been commercially practical for a number of different reasons. One of these reasons is that although such combs have been able to loosen threads or the like from the surface of the 'carpet, such threads simply form windrows in front of the comb which does'not pick them up and mechanically transfer. them to the interior of the nozzle, the result being that on reverse movement of the nozzle, the nozzle simply slides over such windrow and does not pick all of it up.

A vacuum cleaner nozzle for ordinary cleaning purposes must have an opening exposed to the surface being cleaned of material area through which the flow of air consequently is not of extremely high velocity. I have found that in order to remove threads, lint, or the like which have the dg'tendency of adhering trongly to the surface of a .55 cleaner is of sufficiently great area for ordinary cleaning purposes, is provided with a comb element for dislodging threads, lint or the like from the surface of a carpet or rug, and during operation of the nozzle the thread, lint, or the like is removed from the surface of the carpet or rug and mechanically transferred to the interior of the nozzle where it is subjected to the effects of an air stream under high velocity to insure its being withdrawn into the nozzle and discharged into the usual dust receptacle. This is accomplished by providing a .comb element within the nozzle and mounting it so that preferably during normal forward movement of the nozzle over the surface being cleaned the comb element is positioned in operative relation with respect to the surface being cleaned whereby to engage, dislodge. and gather pieces of thread, lint, or the like adhering to the surface of the carpet. While the comb element in such position may have the effect of slightly constricting the area of the nozzle opening, this restriction is not material and the nozzle may be readily designed so that no restriction in effect actually exists. When the the'main body portion 4| plus the flange or plate 45. The plates 48 are secured in place to the forward direction of movement of the nomle is I reversed the comb element is moved to mechanically pick up the threads so gathered and transfer them to the interior of the nozzle, and in being so moved thecomb restricts the flow of air through the nozzle, thus increasing its velocity. In positioning the threads, lint or other material which the comb has picked up in the path of flow of this high velocity air, it insures that suchthreads or the like will be withdrawn into thehozzle in the manner desired.- Further backward movement of the nozzle then withdraws the comb from constricting relation with respect to the nozzle opening thereby increasing the effective' area of the nozzle opening to its normal value for continued normal cleaning operation during backward movement of the nozzle. Thus this desired movement of the comb element is automatically accomplished during normal operation simply by reversing the direction of movement of the nozzle and in a simple and efficient manner and does not add materially to the bulk or weight of the nozzle, nor otherwise detract from its normal desirable characteristics.

Referring nowto the drawings and particularly to Sheet 1, in Fig. 1 is illustrated the general type of vacuum cleaner to which the present invention is primarily adapted although it will be understood it is likewise adaptable to the first type of vacuum cleaners previously described as well. As illustrated in Fig. 1 the particular vacuum cleaner combination shown includes a combined suction producing mechanism and dust container indicated generally at 30, a nozzle structure indicated generally at 32 secured to the end of a rigid wand or tube 34 and an interconnecting flexible tube 36.

While any suitable type of unit may be employed in conjunction with the present invention, the particular unit shown by way of illustration is that disclosed and described in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,228,750, issued January 14, 1941, on Vacuum cleaner construction. The nozzle 32 itself comprises a transversely elongated main body portion 40 of hollow rectangular section and the bottom face thereof which is adapted to contact the floor is open for the purpose of receiving dust laden air in accordance with conventional practice. The lower marginal edges of the forward and rear faces of the main body portion 40 are provided, respectively, with forwardly and rearwardly extending flange portions 42 providing relatively broad shoe-like bases or shoes for supporting the nozzle on the floor. The top wall of the main body portion 40 corresponding'flanges 46 by means of screws 50 and nuts 52.

The end walls of the main body portion 40, as best indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, are each provided with an upwardly extending slot 54 therein and through which slots project a shaft 56. The opposite ends of the shaft 58 are journalled in the plates 48 at opposite ends of the main body portion 40, and to the shaft 58 outwardly beyond each plate 48 a roller 58 is fixed thereto. It may be observed at this point that the shaft 58 is preferably positioned as closely as practical to the rear wall of the main body portion 40 and the rollers 58 are preferably of a diameter to project slightly downwardly beyondthe plane of the lower face of the flanges or shoes 42 to better adapt them for frictional engagement with the carpet or other surface being cleaned. It will be appreciated that the rollers have such limited size that ordinarily they will imbed themselves in the nap of a carpet or rug so as to permit the shoes 42 to ride directly upon the upper surface of the carpet or rug during normal operation.

A comb element 60 is fixed to the shaft 56 within the main body portion 40 and extends for substantially the full distance between opposite ends of the main body portion. The comb element 60 includes a main body portion arranged radially with respect to the axis of the shaft 56 and an angularly offset end portion terminating in a serrated edge or comb 62 as best shown in Fig. 8.

inclines upwardly from the ends towards the center thereof at which point a hollow socket 44, extending at an angle to the vertical and horizontalis joined in the main body portion 40 and is adapted to receive the lower end of the wand 34 therein with a frictional fit. The main body portion 40 as shown is constructed, from sheet metal, but may be of cast construction if desired.

At each lateral end of the main body portion 40 a rearwardly projecting flange or plate member 46 is rigidly fixed to the main body portion 40, these plates or flanges being arranged with their planes extending vertically. Over the outside face of each of the flanges or plates 46 a plate member 48 is arranged and is of a size and shape substantially complementary to the size and shape of the corresponding end wall of The comb element 50 is thus fixed for rotation with the shaft 56 but is limited on its rotational movement by contact with the rear wall of themain body portion 40. Preferably rubber or other sound deadening strips 54 are secured as indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and '1 to the inner face of the rear wall of the main body portion 40 in a position' to engage the comb element 60 at opposite liimts of its rotational movement. The comb element 60 is made of such dimensions that when it is in its extreme limit of movement in a clockwise direction of rotation, as viewed in Figs. 5, 6 and "I. the comb 82 thereof projects slightly below the lower face of the shoes 42, the comb thus being positioned so as to imbed itself sufficiently in the nap of the carpet or rug being cleaned to insure its mechanically engaging and loosenin any threads, lint or the like adhering to the Surface ofthe carpet or rug. The radial dimension of the comb element 60 is also preferably such with respect to the position of the shaft 56 in the housing 40 that when the shaft 56 is rotated the comb 52 barely clears the inner surface of the forward wall of the main body 40 as illustrated in Fig. 6 for a purpose which will hereinafter be more fully explained. In this position the teeth of the comb are pointing upwardly which, of course, facilitates the removal of the threads or the like upwardly therefrom.

It. will be appreciated that in the construction above described the shaft 56-with the comb element 60 thereon, the end plates 48 and the rollers 58 provide a unitary assemblage which may be applied to the main body portion 40 as a unit and may be secured in place by means of the screws 50 and nuts 52, and that the same unit the nozzle assembly. This feature makes for ease in manufacturing and service.

In the operation of the nozzle thus described back stroke of the nozzle.

open side facing downwardly, back and forth across the surface of the rug or carpet desired to carpet or the like and cary it up into the interior of the nozzle where it will be subiectedato the be cleaned. with the construction thus described when the operator 'is grasping the wand 34 and pushing it forward causes the nozzle 32 to move forwardly over the surface of a rug or carpet, the

initial movement of the nozzle in this direction,

acting through the friction between the rollers 58 and the surface of the rug or carpet, will rotate the shaft 56 and consequently the comb element 60 in a clockwise direction of movement as viewed in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7 until the comb element 60 contacts the lower bumper 64 as illustrated in Fig. 5, and thereafter during further movement of the nozzle in a forwardly direction the wheels 58 will simply slide over the surface of the carpet. The comb element 60, however, during this forward movement is positioned with the comb 62 thereof in a position to engage the surface of the carpet or rug and 'to mechanically engage and loosen threads or lint which it comes into contact with on such surface. 1

When the forward stroke of the nozzle 32 is completed, then as soon as the ensuing back stroke is initiated the rollers 58 will be caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction of rotation as viewed in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 with the result that a counterclockwise direction of movement will be impartedto the shaft 56 and comb element 60, this movement continuing until the comb 62 and comb element 60 contacts the upper bumper 64 which will thus prevent further rotation in this direction and thereafter the rollers 58 will slide on the surface of the carpet during the continued The position of the comb element in such case is illustrated in Fig. '7.

It will be appreciated that the comb member 60 in passing from the position illustrated in Fig. to the position illustrated in Fig. 7 will have to pass through the position illustrated in the forward movement and will mechanically transfer such windrow from the surface of the .carpet up into the interior of the nozzle. When the comb element 60 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 6 it will be appreciated that the effective cross-sectional area of the air passage through the nozzle is materially reduced with the. result that the air which is drawn over the forward edge of the comb member 50 and over the rear face of the shaft 56 is materially reduced with the result that the air which is drawn over the forward edge of the comb member 60 and over the rear face of the shaft 56 is materially increased in velocity at this time. This is important for the reason that in. order to insure the thread and lint picked up by the comb 62 being removed therefrom and withdrawn further into the nozzle, a jet of high velocity air is extremely desirable if not'necessary in order toinsure complete cleaning of the comb. Thus with the construction described every time the direction of movement of the nozzle on the surface being cleaned is reversed the operative edge of the comb will-mechanically pick up any material which it has gathered on the surface of the effects of a high velocity stream of air which quickly, efficiently and assuredly removes all thread, lint and other material picked up by I the comb.

It will beappreciated from the above explanation that the present invention provides a means whereby threads, lint and other material adhering more or less tenaciously to the surface of" p a carpet or rug may be efl'ectively picked up through a vacuum cleaner nozzle without the necessity of mechanically driven means such .as brushes and thatv the device of. the present invention involves such relatively small and light parts that it does not materially increase the size of the nozzle nor the weight thereof and thus ideally adapts itself for usein connection with vacuum cleaner nozzles of the wand type, although being useful in any type of vacuum cleaner.

It will be understood that while the nozzle structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, is fully operative and capable of performing its intended duty, it lacks certain refinements which are considered desirable from a present day merchandising standpoint and such refinements are incorporated in the modification thereof illustrated in- Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive. struction shown in Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, is somewhat similar to that shown in my United States Reissue Patent No. 21,256, issued November 7, 1939, except that the present nozzle does not embody the secondary high velocity nozzles of my earlier patent. In other words, the im-v passage 12. The main body portion ill is shown of cast construction although it may, of course,

be constructed from sheet metal if desired. The lower margins of the front and rear walls of the main body portion I0 are forwardly and rearwardly flanged, respectively,as at' 14 to provide carpet engaging supporting surfaces and these are preferably rounded in a forward and rearward direction on their under faces, as indicated, to enable them to more readily slide over the surface of the carpet, rug or the like without interference.

Instead of providing a socket rigid with "the main body portion of the nozzle for reception of the wand as in the first described construction, means are provided for hingedly securing the wand to the nozzle in the present construction. This is accomplished by providing centrally of the main body portion 10 an upstanding pocket portion 16 opening in a rearwardly direction. On each side of this pocket portion I6 but outwardly spaced from the margins thereof as indicated in Fig. 15 is a rearwardly directed flange or plate 18 formed integrally with the main body portion 10 and arranged with their inner faces in parallel relation with respect to each other-and perpendicular to the plane of the bottom face of the nozzle. A hollow hinge member indicated generally at 80, open at its forward and rearward ends, is freely received between the plates 18 and is projectable into the pocket 15. The hinge member is mounted for pivotal movement between the plates 18 by means of a bolt 82 rotatably received in the lower portion of the hinge member 80 in line with or'immediately above the plane of the lower surface of The confect thereof.

The hinge member 88 is formed to provide an upwardly and rearwardly extending socket 88 for reception of a conventional wand, such as the wand 34 illustrated in Fig. 1, and its upper surface forwardly of the lower end of the socket 88 is cylindrically curved as at 80 about the center of the bolt 82 as a radius. The sides of the hinge member 80 are flat and parallel with each other and with the inner faces of the plate 18. As best illustrated in Fig. 12, the rear marginal edge of the upper wall of the pocket 16 is horizontally grooved and receives therein the upper forwardly projecting flange of a Z-sectioned sealin'g element 92. The lower and rearwardly directed flange of the sealing element 92 bears against the curved upper surface 80 of the hinge member 80 thereby to seal the joint between the surface 90 and the upper wall of the pocket 16 against leakage of air therethrough. Preferably the sealing element 92 is initially formed so that the lower flange thereof is deflected downwardly and is constructed from resilient material such as rubber composition so that upon assembly the free edge of the lower flange will resiliently press against. the surface 90 to enhance the sealing ef-' Additionally, it will be appreciated that when the nozzle is being operated and connected to a suitable source of suction the reduced pressure on the interior of the nozzle cooperating with the atmospheric pressure on the exterior thereof will tend to press the lower flange of the sealing element 82 more securely against the surface 90 thereby to enhance the sealing eil'ect thereof.

.As best brought out in Fig. the main body portion 10 along the vertically directed rear edges of the pockets 18 and immediately inwardly of; the corresponding plate I8 is provided with a vertically directed rearwardly opening groove in which a sealing element 94, which may be of the same material and of identically the same section as sealing element 92, is received, the rearward flanges thereof engaging the sides of the hinge element 80 thereby to seal the joint between the sides of the hinge element 88 and the sides of the pocket .16 against the flow of air therethrough.

That portion of the hinge member 80 surrounding the bolt 82 is formed to a partially cylindrical shape on its under-surface and of such dimensions that it projects downwardly to substantially the plane of the lower faces of the flanges 14 and shoe 86 thereby to seal the space between the lower surface of the hinge 80 and the surface of the rug or carpet being cleaned against an undesirable leakage of air therethrough. It will be appreciated, however, that unless otherwise provided for with the construction thus far described, with the lower face of the nozzle fiat on the surface of a carpet or rug as will normally occur in operation, all of the air drawn into the nozzle must be drawn through the nap of the carpet or rug in finding its way into the nozzle, this being desirable under ordinary circumstances. However, occasions do arise where it is desirable to provide one or more streams of air of relatively high velocity flowing into the nozzle in order to facilitate the picking up of some piece of material, objects or the like from the surface being cleaned and which could not otherwise be accomplished by the stream of low velocity air required to first pass through the nap of the carpet or rug and then into the nozzle.

In accordance with one phase of the present invention in order to obtain a plurality of relatively small streams of high velocity air under such conditions the partially cylindrical surface of the nozzle member 80 underlying the bolt 82 is provided with a plurality of forwardly and rearwardly directed grooves 86 therein as best brought out in Figs. 12 and 17. These grooves 96, as best illustrated in Fig. 12, are disposed at an angle to both the horizontal and vertical when the hinge member 80 is in its normal position of operation as illustrated in Fig. 12. If the wand is raised by the operator so as to cause the hinge member 80 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction of rotation as viewed in Fig. 12 so as to bring the bottom of the slots 96 into parallelism with the surface of the rug or carpet being cleaned, the slots 96 provide open and unobstructed passages leading from the outside air directly into the interior of the nozzle through which a plurality of relatively small streams of air may flow at high velocity, and if some particular object which it is desired to pick up from the surface of the rug or carpet being cleaned and which requires such high velocity air to enable it to be picked up from the surface being cleaned, is maneuvered into the central portion of the opening '12 in the nozzle it will be subjected to thesestreams of high velocity of air and be Withdrawn through the nozzle into the suction producing means.

When the nozzle member 80 is returned to its normal position of operation illustrated in Fig. 12, it will be appreciated that the effect of crosssectional area of the grooves 96 open to the flow of air from the outside into the nozzle is materially reduced and it will also be appreciated that if the nozzle member 80 is pivoted in a clockwise direction of movement from the normal position illustrated in Fig. 12, the ungrooved portion of the nozzle member may be brought into contact with the surface being cleaned thereby completely shutting off the grooves 96 from the direct flow of air therethrough. This construction, therefore, provides a means whereby a plurality of relatively small streams of air at high'velocity may be optionally obtained during operation of the nozzle, together with the attendant advantages and without the necessity of adding any additional parts or masses of metal to the con- .struction.

In adapting the previously described oomb' structure to the nozzle construction illustrated in Figs. 9 to 1'1, inclusive, the interior rear wall'of the main body portion 10 is preferably provided with a strip of sound deadening material 100, best illustrated in Figs. 12 and 15, and which may be of rubber or other suitable material, for engagement with the comb member and for limiting the rotatable or oscillatable motions of the same in opposite directions. In the present case the comb structure includes a shaft I02 carrying a sheet metal comb member I04 as best illustrated in Fig. 12. The upper edge of the comb member I04, as illustrated in Fig. 12, is formed into an eye for reception of a shaft I02 to which it is rigidly secured and the lower marginal edge portion thereof is bent forwardly and downwardly as indicated and terminates in a serrated comb edge I06 as in the construction previously described. In this case, however, the shaft I02 is so-located that the surrounding portion of the comb member I04 substantially contacts the bumperstrip I at all tinies and, therefore, prevents the flow of any material amount of air 'upwardly between the comb 'member I04 and the rear wall of the main body portion 10. It might be noted that the bumper strip I00 is cut down in height over the width of the pocket I6 and the rear wall of the main body portion I0 is extended over thewidth of the pocket 16 for the height of this portion of the bumper strip I00 in order to provide support for the bumper strip I00 thereacross, such rear wall being otherwise cut away over the cross-sectional area of the pocket 1Q.

The opposite ends of the main body portion as best brought out in Figs. 9 and 14, are formed to provide pockets I00 separated from the re mainder of the interior of the main body portion I0 by transverse walls IIO. These transverse walls are upwardly slotted as at 2, best seen Figs. 12 and 14, for passage of the opposite ends of the shaft I02, the effect being the same as the comb edge I06 of the comb member will pass into relatively close proximity to the forward wall of the main body portion 10 to momentarily restrict the effective area of the nozzle and create ahigh velocity stream of air past its edge I 06to more efllciently remove any threads, lint or other material which may have been picked up thereby in the same general manner as in the nozzle construction first described.

There arecertain typ s of carpets or rugs in which the nap forming threads are looped and which, therefore, do not lend themselves to the use of a comb structure of the general type described. In case the nozzle is to be used on such a carpet means are preferably provided for locking the comb member I04 at its upper limit of movement. While any suitable means may be provided for this Purpose, one simple and effective means isshown in the drawings and comprises a screw I30, threaded through the wall of one of the pockets I 08, the lefthand pocket as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, and positionedso that it may be threaded inwardly to bring its inner end into binding relation with respect to the corresponding roller I I4 in the mannerillustrated in Fig/16. The screw I has a large knurled slots'54 in the end walls of the main body porti of the nozzle first described. Within each pock I00 and in closely adjacent relationship with respect to the corresponding wall IIO a roller M4 is fixed to the corresponding end of the shaft "I112 in any suitable way such as by a set screwv I I5 (Fig. 16) The rollersI I4 project downwardbelow the plane of the lower face of the nozzle a distance corresponding to that in the construction first described. Outwardly beyond each roller II4 a bearing II6 rotatably receives the corresponding end of the shaft Hi2 therein. The exterior surface of the bearing H0 is partially spherical in conformation and is received within the lower frusto-conically shaped end portion of a downwardly extending post or bracket II8 formed integrally with the upper wall of each of the pockets I08 as best shown in Fig. 13. A boss I20 formed integrally with the main body portion 10 in one corner of each ofthe pockets I08, acting through a cooperating screw I22, serves as a support for a sheet metal clamping member I24 having a partially spherical outer end portion which receives the lower face of the correhead enabling it to be readily manipulated by the fingers of the user. Thus where it is desired to lock the comb member I04 in inoperative po-' sition, the nozzle is simply drawn in a rearwardly direction on a surface a distance sufficient to insure the comb being moved to the upper extremity of its movable position, and then the screw I30 is simply threaded inwardly until it is arranged in binding relationship with respect to the nozzle strilfes'a7 piece of furniture the fumiture will not be marred. Means are provided in sponding bearing I I6 therein and forces the bearsimpl removing the screws .2 the bearings IIG,

the aft I02 and the comb member I04 may be readily and quickly removed for servicing or the like and for the same reason may be quickly and accurately positioned in manufacture and service.

As inthe construction first described it will [be appreciated that the width of the opening I2 is originally designed so that the slight width of the comb member I04 and its shaft I02 does not unn sarily restrict the desired normal work-- ing' a the nozzle and that when the comb mem 4 is in either extreme limit of its movable positions the effective open area of the nozzles is at its maximum value. It will also be appreciated that when the comb member I04 is I moving from one limit of its movable position to the other during initiation of the reversal of movement of the nozzle in a forwardly or rearwardly direction during normal operation, the

accordance ith the present phaseof the present invention to obtain this result in connection with the present nozzle and additionally such means are so constructed and arranged as to simplify and reduce the cost of manufacture of the nozzle aswell as to blend in with-the nozzle and streamline the shape thereof. Thismember-islpreferably' formed from rubber or rubber composition and is shaped to be received by the upper faces of the flanges I4 and to bear against the vertical faces of the main body portion I0 around its full extent except between the plates I8.

In connection with this feature of the present invention it will be noted that the upper wall of the main body portion 10, in order to better adapt it to the desired contour of the finished nozzle, is provided with a convex outer surface of greater height at the front wall thereof than at the rear wall thereof. Along the forward face,

of the main body portion I0 this bumper, which is indicated generally at I40, is formed to provide a relatively thick horizontally directed bottom wall I42 the bottom face of which lies directly of the. portion 42 contacts the forward race of the main body portion so that a hollow chamusually resilient bumper.

At its opposite ends the bumper I40 is provided with solid end wall portions I46, as best shown in Fig. 9, integrally joined to .the forward portion of the bumper and extending rearwardly around the end portion of the main bodyportion 10 where each end portion I46 Joins with a correspondingly inwardly directed portion extending to the corresponding sides of the pocket 16. As best illustrated in Figs. 13 and 16 these last mentioned portions each include a horizontally .di-

upper edge of which bears against the rear wall of the main body portion 10 and its upper surface is arranged in flush relationship with the upper face of the main body portion 10 at the rear edge thereof as indicated. 'Thus the rear portion of the bumper I40 also cooperates with.

when rotating in the opposite direction, the wheels being arranged so that one will drive the shaftwhen rotating in one direction and the other will drive the shaft when rotating in the opposite direction. While any suitable type or, ratchet or free wheeling clutch may be employed for this purpose, in the particular construction shown by way of illustration each roller includes a central cylindrical portion I60 suitably fixed to the shaft I02 as by means of a key I62, and an enveloping annular rim portion I64 rotatably mounted upon the portion I60. Radially extending webs I66 and I60 at the opposite ends of the rected portion I48 joined at its rear edge to an upwardly and forwardly curving-portion I60 the in a simple manner most eificient for casting and machining purposes and in .a shape that in and of itself would be unacceptable from a commercial standpoint. Additionally, it forms a shield for the major area of the otherwise exposed metal surfaces of the nozzle structure which, therefore, eliminates the requirement -of plating and/or polishing of these surfaces by shrouding the same and, therefore, serves to further make the nozzle construction as a whole more economical to produce.

It will be appreciated that the bumper projects outwardly beyond the outer edges of the flanges 14 and beyond the end surfaces of the main body portion 10 so that in running the nozzle over the floor it is substantially impossible to bring any metallic portion thereof into contact with a piece'of furniture, and the construction of the bumper in forming the hollow chambers having the resilient walls renders the construction exceptionally flexible and obviates any danger of any possible marring or scratching of any object with which the bumper may contact. The bumper may be secured in place on the main body portion 10 by any suitable means such as adhesive, screws, or the like. V

' In Figs. 18, 19 and 20 a construction is shown that is identical to the construction shown in Figs. 9 to 17, inclusive, in every respect except for the construction of the rollers and the method of securing them to the comb shaft. Consequently all parts illustrated in Figs. 18, 19- and 20 bear the same numerals as in Figs. 9 to 1'1,

inclusive, with the exception of the rollers themselves and, accordingly, it is only necessary to describe the difierence in the construction of the rollers in Figs. 18, 19 and 20 in order to render the entire construction understandable.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 18, 19 and 20 means are provided for clutching each wheel to the comb shaft so that the wheels may rotate freely of the shaft in one direction and will be locked in driving relation to the shaft thereto so that the notches are more or less wedge shaped when viewed axially of the rollers. It is to be noted from an inspection of Figs 19 and 20' that the notches in the member I at one end of the nozzle extend angularly in the opposite direction from the notches in the member I60 at the opposite end of the nozzle with respect to'the axis of the shaft I02. A roller I12 is received in each of the notches I10 in parallel relation to the axis of the shaft I02 and light coil spring I14 cooperates between each roller I12 and the radially disposed wall of the corresponding notch I10 to urge the roller I12 outwardly away from said wall and into binding relationship with respect to the inner wall of the notch and the inner wall of the annular rim member I64. The construction thus provided'is a conventional form of one-way clutch permitting rotation of the corresponding rim member ln one direction but preventing relative rotation in the opposite direction with respect to its central member I60. With 4 this construction and keeping in mind that the clutches of the rollers at the opposite end of the nozzle operate in the opposite direction, it will be appreciated that during forward movement of the' nozzle the rim I64 of the righthand roller, as viewed in Fig. 18, will be locked to the central portion I60 thereof and consequently to the shaft I02 during forward movement of the nozzle, the rim portion I64 of the lefthand roller rotating freely upon its central portion I60 at such time. However, when the direction of movement of the nozzle is reversed, that is, the nozzle is moved in driving relation with respect to its corresponding 6 central portion I60 and the rim I64 of the lefthand roller will be drivingly engaged with its central portion I60 and, consequently, during rearward movement, the lefthand roller only will serve to operate the shaft I02 andthe comb member I04. One of the advantages of such a construction is that it is only necessary to slide one roller at a time over the floor duringtha major portion of the forward and rearward movements of the nozzle thereon.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: i

1. In combination, a hollow vacuum cleaner nozzle having anopen side adapted for contact with a floor, a comb element positioned within said nozzle and mounted therein for rotatable movement about a line adjacent the rear wallthereof, said comb element when in normal operative position for forward movement including a forwardly projecting portion terminating in a serrated free edge disposed in said opening in a position to engage the surface of a floor, movable floor engaging means carried by said nozzle and adapted for frictional engagement with the surface of a floor, means interconnecting sa'id floor engaging means and said comb element for interrelated movements, said comb element being of such radial dimension that the serrated edge thereof passes into close proximity to the forward wall of said nozzle during movement of said element between its opposite limits of movement, whereby to momentarily decrease the effective cross-sectional area of said nozzle to the serrated edge of said comb element and increase the velocity of air flow over said edge, means limiting rotation of said comb element in one direction to a position in which said serrated edge having cylindrical journal portions projecting,-

. a position in which the free edge thereof is disthereof is disposedbelow but in close proximity to the plane of said open side, and means limiting rotation of said comb element in the opposite direction to a position in which said serrated edge is disposed a material distance above said plane of said open side.

2. In combination, a hollow vacuum cleaner nozzle having an open side adapted for contact with a floor, a comb element positioned within said nozzle and mounted therein for rotatable movement about a line adjacent the rear wall thereof, said comb element when in normal operative position for forward movement including a forwardly projecting portion terminating in a serrated free edge disposed in said opening in a position to engage the surface of a floor, and a roller at the opposite sides of said nozzl member arranged for engagement with a floor, means forming a driving engagement between one of said rollers and said comb element for effecting simultaneous operation of said comb element only when said nozzle member is being moved in a forwardly direction, means forming a driving connection between the other of saidrollers and said comb element effective only when said nozzle member is being moved in a rearwardly direction, means limiting rotation of said comb element in one direction to a position in which said serrated edge thereof is disposed belowbu't'in'close proximity to the plane of said open side, and means limiting rotation of said comb element in the opposite direction to a position in which said serrated edge is disposed a material distance above said plane of said open side.

I 3. In combination, a hollow vacuum cleaner nozzle having an open face adapted for engagement with a floor, a shaft in said nozzle mem-.

ber extending from one side thereof to the opposite side thereof,-a comb member fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith, a roller mounted on each end of said shaft in position to engage a floor, one-way clutch operative to drivingly connect one of said rollers to said shaft only when said nozzle member is moving in a forwardly direction, a one-way clutch operative to drivingly connect the other of said rollers to said shaft and operative only when said nozzle member is moving in a rearwardly direction, means limiting rotation of said comb member in one direction to a position in which the free edge thereof i disposed below but in close proximity to the plane of said open face, and means limiting rotation of said comb member in the opposite direction to a position in which the free edge thereof is disposed a material distance above said plane of said open face.

4. In combination, a hollow vacuum cleaner nozzle having an open face adapted for engagement with a floor, a comb element in said nozzle posed below but in close proximity to the plane of said open face, and meanslimiting-rotation of said comb member in the opposite direction to a position-in which the free edge thereof is disposed a material distance above said plane of said open face.

5. In combination, a hollow vacuum cleaner nozzle having an open side adapted for engagement with a floor, a comb member mounted within said nozzle for rotational movement about a line-proximate to and parallel with one longitudinal extending edge thereof and proximate to the rearwall of said nozzle, the remaining longitudinally extending edge of said comb member being serrated and being located approximately in the plane of the open-face said nozzle at one limit of its movable positions and being positioned in elevated and approximate relation to the rear wall of said nozzle when at the opposite limit of its movable positions, said comb member being substantially imperforate except for said serrated edge and said serrated edge sweeping into close relationship to the front wall of said nozzle when moving from one of said limits to the other of said limits whereby to largely restrict the flow of air through said nozzle past said comb to the serrated edge of said comb at such time, and means operatively associated with said comb memberadapted for frictional engagement with a floor. operative to move said comb member between the opposite limits of its movable positions upon reversal of direction of movement of said nozzleon a floors 6. In combination, a hollow vacuum cleaner nozzle having an open side adapted for engagement with a floor, an angularly sectioned comb member mounted within said nozzle for rotational movement about a line proximate to and parallel with one longitudinally extending edge thereof and proximate to the rear wall of said nozzle, the remaining longitudinally extending edge of said comb member being serrated and being directed toward the forward edge of said opening approximately in the plane of the openface said nozzle when at one limit of its movable positions and being positioned in elevated and proximate relation to the rear wall of said nozzle when at the opposite limit of its movable positions, said comb member being substantially imperforate except for said serrated edge and said serrated edge sweeping into close relationship with respect to the front wall of said nozzle when moving from one of said limits to the other of

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