US2366125A - Suction cleaner - Google Patents

Description

1944. w, PARDEE I 2,366,125

SUCTION CLEANER Filed May 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 40m W PHEDEE WWW ATTORNEY.

' Dec. 26, 1944. w P R EE 2,366,125

SUCTION CLEANER Filed May 19, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. .1 5 7 [mm/146M055 ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 26, 1944 7 2,366,125 soc'rmn CLEANER Lloyd W. Pardee, Lakewood, Ohio, assignor to The Scott & Fetzer Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 19, 1941, Serial No. 394,117

8 Claims.

This invention relates to suction cleaners of the on-the-floor type, and more particularly, to a new and improved converter coupling which may be readily applied to the cleaner toadapt the same for off -the-floor cleaning in connection with an extension hose and utility tools.

The type'of suction cleaner in most general use today is that which is known as the on-the-t floor type, which is used primarily for cleaning floor coverings and the like. To adapt this type of cleaner for ofr-the-fioor cleaning, it is necessary to provide a converter coupling which serves to attach an extension hose and utility tools to the cleaner so that the latter may be employed for cleaning objects such as upholstery, furniture and the like, normally disposed above the floor. The use of converter couplings which have been in general use heretofore was usually a complicatedand inconvenient procedure, requiring the partial dismantling of the machine and the substitution of parts thereof. This procedure entailing the use of separate parts discouraged the use of the usual on-the-floor type of cleaner for oif-the-floor 'work. In those machines embody,

ing a belt driven brush, it was essential that the belt be removed from the fan shaft of the machine, or that the working mouth of the nozzle'be raised on of the floor covering, for the failure to do so would eventually result in damage to the floor covering. In the event that the nozzle was raised above the floor covering and the, brush driven during oif-the-floor cleaning, the efficiency of the machine for' use in connection with utility tools was considerably reduced.

It is among the'objects of the presentinvention to provide a new and improved converter coupling which may be used with the usual onthe-floor type of suction cleaner which is simple in construction and easy to apply, and which avoidsthe drawbacks and disadvantages of present types of converter couplings.

It is another object of the invention to provide, in a suction cleaner of the on-the-floor type having'aa brush driven by a belt extending from the fan shaft, a converter coupling including mechanism for disconnecting the belt from the fan shaft when it is desired to use the machine for oif-the-floor cleaning. v

, Another object of the invention is. to provide a new and. improved converter coupling for use 1 with a suction cleaner having a belt driven brush imzluding pivotal mechanism adapted to discon-v necttl'ie belt f-rom the fan shaft of th cleaner, and to lock the coupling in operative position within the machine. I

a0 fled type of converter coupling mbodying the The foregoing objects and certain advanta- Semis features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed descrip tion taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote corresponding parts, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a suction cleaner embodying a converter coupling constructed in accordance with the present inven-v tion; i

Figure 2 is a side. elevational view of a converter coupling embodying the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 are end elevational views of the coupling shown in Figure 2;

Figure 5 is alongitudinal sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the converter coupling positioned within the nozzle of the cleaner, with the belt shifting element pivoted into of the fan shaft; 1

Figure 8 is a sectional detail taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front view of the nozzle showing the opening through which the coupling is adapted to extend;

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of 'a modipresent invention: a

Figures 11 and 12 are 'nd elevational views of the coupling shown in Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the coupling properly positioned within the nozzle of the suction cleaner with the belt shifting element thereof in position to free the belt from the fan shaft;

Figure 14 is a sectional detail taken on the line ll-ll ofFigure 13; T

Figure 15 is a longitudinal sectional view of the coupling positioned relative to the fan shaft of the cleaner; I a

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on the line lO-ltofFigure 15,and- Q .1

Figure 17 is .a. fragmentary bottom view of v the end of the converter coupling.

- called horizontal type, which in it general structural features comprises a wheeled casing indicated broadly by'the. numeral l0. adapted to be maneuvered over the floor by means of a handle \f u (not shown) suitably attachedto a'bail II. The

position to lift the belt free casing It includes a floor engaging nozzle 2 communicating with a fan case l3 through a flanged inlet I4. A fan I5 is suitably mounted within the fan case I3 on' an extension l6 of the armature shaft of the motor (not shown), the

housing of which is indicated bythe numeral H.

A rotary brush l8 is journalled in the floor engaging mouth of the nozzle l2. The shaft of the cleaner motor is extended outwardly through the inlet M of the fan case and is provided at its outer end with a pulley l9 adapted to receive a belt 20 for driving the brush l8. Aligned with the flanged inlet openingl4 and extending through the front wall of the nozzle I2 is an opening 24, which is formed with a substantially rectangular notch 22 at one side thereof (see Figure 9.). Normally, the opening 2| is closed with any suitable type of removable cover when the machine is being used for on-the-floor cleaning. The aforesaid structure may follow in general the practice in the art, modifications being had to embody the present invention which has referin or supported in alignment with the inlet opening M of the fan case. The housing 26 is formed with a portion 21 of reduced inside diameter, the

exterior wall of which is tapered and provided with spaced lugs 28 for receiving a coupling ring to attaching an extension hose to the outer extremity of the housing 26. On the exterior sur- -face of the housing 26, there is formed an irregularly shaped key 29 which cooperates with the keyway 22 formed in the opening2| to guide the housing in a predetermined rotated path as the coupling is inserted through the opening 2|.

As best illustrated in Figure 17, the inner end of the housing 26 is provided with a pair of parallel slots 30 and 3 I forming therebetween a tongue 32, the outer end of which is suitably rounded, as

I at 33.

The portion 21 of the housing 26 is cut away to provide a substantially flatsurface 35, having an opening 36 extending longitudinally therethrough and communicating with the interior of the housing 26. A slot 31 in the wall of the housing extends from the surface 35 toward the forward end'of the coupling. A cap member 38 is adapted to be secured to the surface 35 having formed therein spaced bearing recesses 39 and 40 traversing the surface 35, and a passage 34 extending therebetween which aligns with the opening 36 when the cap is secured in place upon the housing. Pivotally mounted within the housing 36 is an elongated member 4| which maybe manipulated to free the belt from the .pulley of the [machine when the coupling is operatively positioned in the machine. The forward end of the belt shifter 4| is cut away to form spaced lips 42 which engage the spaced portions of the belt 20 and a recess 43 which receives the end of the pulley". The upper surface 44 of the member 4| is downwardlylinclined extending from'the closed end of the recess 43 to the rear wall 45 of the member. A downwardly extending portion terminating in trunnions 46 is formed on the rear end of the member 4|. The trunnions 46 are received within the bearing recess 39 in the cap member 38. An opening 41 in alignment with the slot 31 extends through the intermediate portion of the member 4|. A spring 48 seated within a recess 49 and bearing-against the wall 45 normally urges the forward end of the belt shifter downwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the housing 26. i

For actuating the belt shifter, there is provided a cam lever 48 comprising a cylindrical body portion 49 rotatably mounted within the bearing recess 40 and having a cam lug 50 operating in the passage 34 and engageable with the lower surface of the member 4| to pivot the same upon rotation of the body portion 49. A

' hook 5| formed integrally with the body portion 49'' and extending at substantially right angles to the lug 50 operates within the aligned slots 41 and 31, and moves behind the wall of the nozzle |2 (see Figure 7) ,to maintain the coupling member properly seated within the machine. A hand lever 52 is secured to the outer end of the rotatable member 49.

In applying the converter coupling to the suction cleaner, the forward end of the housing is inserted through the opening 2| in the face of the nozzle and the end of the irregular key 29 is aligned with and introduced into the keyway 22. The belt 29 which normally assumes a twisted position to effect a driving connectionbetween the pulley l9 and the brush I8 has one portion thereof extending forwardly of the, pulley, and that portion thereof which is in alignment with the lower edge of the openingil is twisted at about an angle of about 45. The forward end of the key 29'is so positioned'on the wall of the housing that upon insertion into the keyway22, the end of the slot 30 is aligned with and is adapted to receive the edge portion ofthe belt. Upon further insertion of the key into the slot, the converter coupling is rotated and the tongue 32 is caused to separate the portions of the belt below the pulley aligning the other slot 3| with the edge portion of the other side of the belt. Seating the forward end of the housing 26 in the inlet openin l4 of the fan case brings the belt shifter 4| into position below the pulley. The lever 52 is then moved to rotate the cam lug 56 into position to move the end of the belt shifter upwardly into engagement with the belt about the pulley and free the same therefrom. Simultaneously with the movement of the belt shifting member 4| the hook 5| formed on the cam lever is caused to move through the slots 41 and 31 and engage behind the wall of the nozzl l2, thereby locking the coupling member in position within the nozzle. I

With reference to Figures '10 to 16, inclusive there is disclosed a modified form of a converter coupling constructed in accordance with this invention, broadly indicated by the numeral 55. The converter coupling 55 comprises a cylindrical housing member 56 which is adapted to extend through the opening 2| of the suctioncleaner nozzle l2, and have its inner end thereof aligned with or seated 'within the inlet opening it of the The outer end of .the housing 58 is formed with anenlargement or flange 58,

(see Figure 2).

The flanged end of the housing 56 is adapted to receive the end 63 of a tubular member 62, the outer surface of which end is contoured complemental to the inner surface 59 of the flange 58.

The end of the member 62 is provided with out-.

wardly extending trunnions 64 which seat within the bearing recesses 60. A clamping ring 55 which is complemental to the flanged end 58 of the housing 56 completes the joint between the,

housing 56 and tubular member 52. The ring 85 is secured to the flange 58'by any suitable means, for example, studs or screws 66 engaging the ears 6| may be used.

The exterior surface of the member 52 is tapered and provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 66 which serve to receive a coupling ring for attaching the extension hose to the outer end of the member 62. The interior of the member 62 has an integral extension 68 formed thereon to which is attached a member 10 having a substantially U-shaped flanged end, the ends of which serve to engage the belt and lift it free of the pulley is when the member 62 is pivoted about its support. The end 63 of the member62 is provided with a recess 12 in which there is disposed a plunger actuated by means of a spring 14. The lower. end of the housing 56 is slotted, and formed with outwardly extending ears 16 along each side of the slot. A key 1.1 is slideably received between the ears 18 and is maintained therein by means of a pin 18, extending between the ears 16, and a spring 19 mounted in a recess 80 in the key-I1 bears against the pin 18 and'normally urges the key inwardly. 'The plunger 13 carried in the member v62 is adapted to bear against the upper surface of the key 11 and as shown in Figure 12,'is effective to lodge the hook end 82 of the key 11 behind the wall l2 of the nozzle of the cleaner when the coupling 55 is positioned in the machine and the housing 56 and member 62 thereof are in alignment.

In applying the converter coupling of Figure 9 to the suction cleaner, the member 62 is tilted upwardly in the manner illustrated in Figure 15. In this position; the outer end of the belt shifting member 10 is positioned adjacent the lower wall of the housing 56. The key 51 upon being inserted into the opening 22 is man pulated in the same manner as the key 29 on the housing 26 to bring the housing 56 and the elements carried thereby into proper operative position within the nozzle l2. Whenthe inner end of the hous ng 55 is seated within the inlet opening of the fan case, the outer end of the member 62 is moved downwardly, bringing the spring pressed plunger 13 into engagement with the upper surface of the key 1.1. This moves the hook 8 2 downwardly into the position shown in Figure 12, locking the converter coupling within the nozzle of the suction cleaner." Simultaneously with ,the downward movement of the housing 62, the outer end of the. belt shifting member 10 is moved upwardly, functioning to lift the belt clear of the pulley shaft I 9, as best illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. As shown in Figure 12," the converter couplingis in a position to adaptthe use of the machine with anextension hose and utility tools. To remove the coupling from the machine, it is only necessary to push upwardly on the key 11, thereby moving the spring pressed plunger 18 into the recess 12. The end of the housing 62 may be then tilted upwardly, moving the belt shifting element downwardly and replacing the belt 2. upon the pulley I9. The spring 80 functions to clear the hook member 82, so that the housing 55 may be withdrawn through the opening 2|.

It is to be understood that the particular forms 'of the invention herein shown and described are presented for purposes of illustration and 'explanation, and that various modifications of the apparatus may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. For a suction cleaner comprising a fan case having an air inlet opening, a fan rotatably mounted in said fan case and having a shaft, a suction nozzle operatively connected with said inlet of said fan case and havinga converter opening providing for access to said inlet opening, a brush mounted in the floor engaging mouth of said nozzle, a belt connecting the fan shaft with said brush for driving same; a converter coupling for attaching utility tools to said cleaner, said converter coupling including a tubular air conducting member adapted through said converter opening to be arranged in air conducting relationship with said fan inlet opening, and a belt shifting lever pivotally anchored in the wall of said member for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely thereof, one end of said lever being adapted to be moved transversely of the housing into engagement with the belt and lift it free of the fan shaft.

2. For -a suction cleaner comprising a fan case having a centrally arranged air inlet opening, a fan rotatably mounted in said fan case and having a shaft, a suction nozzle operatively connected with said inlet opening. of said fan case and having a converter opening providing for access to said inlet opening, a brush mounted in the floor engaging mouth of said nozzle, a belt,

connecting the fan shaft with said brush for driving the same a converter coupling for oper atively attaching utility tools to said cleaner, said converter coupling including a tubular air con-v ducting member adapted through said converter opening to be arranged in air conducting relationship with said fan inlet opening, an elongated belt shifting member pivotally anchored within said air conducting member at a point exteriorly of said nozzle and adapted to extend into said nozzle and engage the belt disposed therein, and means including a cam member for moving said belt shifting member about its pivot point in a plane extending longitudinally of the converter coupling to bring the free end thereof into position to lift the belt free of said fan shaft.

having a centrally arranged air inlet opening, a fan rotatably mounted in said fan case and having a shaft; a suction nozzle operatively connected with said inlet opening of said .fan case and having a converter opening providing for access tosaid in the floor engaging mouth of said nozzle, a belt connecting the fan shaft with said brush for driving the same; a converter coupling for operatively connecting utility tools to said cleaner. said converter coupling including a tubular air 3. For a suction cleaner comprising a fan case inlet opening, a brush mounted verter opening to be arranged in air conducting relation withsaid fan inlet opening, a belt shift-' ing member pivotally anchored in said air conducting member at a point exteriorly of said nozzle for movement in a plane extending longitudinally of the converter coupling, said belt shifting member adapted to be projected into the nozzle and positioned between the belt strands below the fan shaft, actuating means including a rotatable cam element serving to move the belt shifting member about its pivot point to-lift the belt free of the fan shaft, and means responsive to said actuating means for locking the converter coupling in the nozzle.

4. For asuction cleaner comprising a fan case having a centrally arranged air inlet opening, a fan rdtatablymounted in said fan case and having a shaft, a suction noz'zle operatively connected with said inlet of said fan case and having a converter openin providing for access to said inlet opening, a brush mounted in the floor engaging mouth of said nozzle, a belt connecting thefan shaft with said brush for driving the same; a converter coupling for attaching utility tools to said cleaner, said converter coupling including a tubular air conducting member adapted through said converter opening to be arranged in air conducting relationship with said fan inlet opening, an elongated belt shifting member 'fulcrummed within said air conducting member at a point exteriorly of the nozzle, and a cam lever rotatably mounted in said tubular air conducting member and engageable with said belt shiftin member to shift the free end of said member into position to lift the belt from said fan shaft.

5. For a suction cleaner comprising a fan case having a centrally arranged air inlet'opening, a

\ fan rotatably mounted in said fan case and having a shaft,.' a suction nozzle operatively connected with said inlet of said fan case and having a converter opening providing for access to air conducting member, and cam means for pivsaid inlet opening, a brush mounted in the floor engaging mouth of said nozzle, a belt connect- .ing the fan shaft with said brush for driving the same; a converter coupling for attaching utility tools to said cleaner, said converter coupling including an air conducting member adapted through said converter opening to be arranged in said fan inlet opening, a tubular extension producting member, said tubular extension and air conducting member being arranged to provide pivotal movement therebetween about a substantially horizontal axis whereby when said tubular extension is pivoted the belt shifting means is caused to move in a plane extending longitudinally of the converter coupling to bring the free' end thereof into position to lift the belt free of said fan shaft.

6. A removable converter coupling for a tion cleaner having a floor engaging nozzle with a belt driven brush mounted therein, said converter coupling comprising a tubular air conducting member adapted to be connected to said nozzle, a belt shifting lever fulcrumed within said oting said lever about its fulcrumtransversely of theair conducting member to bring the free end of said lever into position to lift the belt free ofits driving shaft.

7. A removable converter coupling for a suction cleaner having a floor engaging nozzle with a belt driven brush mounted therein comprising a tubular air conducting member adapted to traverse the nozzle and the path of the belt there-- through, a tubular extension adapted to receive one end of an extension hose and having an articulated connection with said airconducting member, a belt shifting member supported by said tubular'extension and projecting into said tion cleaner, and means for locking said air conducting member and tubular extension together and to said suction cleaner when said tubular extension and air conducting members are brought into aligned relationship.

'8. For a suction cleaner having a fan case provided with an air inlet port, a suction nozzle operatively connected with said port, a fan rotatably mounted in said fan case and having a shaft extending through said port into said 'nozzle, an agitator mounted in the mouth of said nozzle, a belt connecting the fan shaft with said agitator for driving the same during operation of said fan; a removable converter coupling for connecting suction cleaning tools with said fan air inlet port, said converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting member adapted to have one end thereof arranged in air conducting relationship with said port, a belt shifting member pivotally anchored in said air conducting member at a point exteriorly of said nozzle for, move- I in the nozzle.

W. PARDEE-

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