US2487443A - Conversion arrangement for vacuum cleaners - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 8, 1949 E. B. HOUGH CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR VACUUM CLEANERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'J' led June 11, 1943 INVENTOR.

AT/UQ/VEV Nov. 8, 1949 E. s. HOUGH CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR VACUUM CLEANERS Filed June 11, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

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Nov. 8, 1949 E. B. HOUGH CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR VACUUM CLEANERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 11, 1943 llllllillllllllfll INVENTOR. 212,3. y}. $W y cal Nov. 8, 1949 B. HOUGH CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR VACUUM CLEANERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 11. 1943' INVENTOR. Earl .25. #0145 Arrae/vEy Patented Nov. 8, 1949 CONVERSION ARRANGEMENIFQR y a vAoUU CLEANERS lgan Application June 11, 1943, Serial No.'490,525

- Claims.

This invention relates to vacuumcleaners and has particular reference to-a novel and very eilicient manner of and means for converting a floor type cleaner into one-adapted for so-called off the floor cleaning. My invention has particular application to tha type of floor cleaner having a vertical driving motor, a fan driven thereby, a floor nozzle having a communication with said fan-and having a surfac'e'cleaning member associated therewith, and a driving connection arranged in said communication and extending between said motor and said surface cleaning member for actuating the latter, and as illustrated in the embodiments of the invention selected for purposes of illustration, consists of a device 'built into the cleaner and 'coopera/ble 'with said drivingconnection for rendering the same inoperative and operative, and a coupling insertable in said communication so as to shut off the flow of air from the floor nozzle to the fan and which coupling is adapted to have suction cleaning tools connected there- 'with, said communication having a normally closed port in which said coupling is insertable and said port having a cover therefor, and said device .being actuated by movement of the cover between closed and open position for breaking and remaking the driving connection.

In its broadest aspect my invention contemplates the provision of a means for preventing the connection of the converter coupling to the machine when the agitator is being driven by the motor'of the cleaner.v

Principal objects of the invention are:

To provide a means for preventing the connection of the converter coupling to the machine when the agitator thereof is-being driven by the motor;

To provide a means for opening the motor circuit before the converter coupling. is connected to the machine; and v i To provide a meansvto prevent the disengagement or the engagementof the driving connection when the motor of the machine is operating.

Other objects andadvantagesof the invention will be apparent from a consideration'of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which there. are four sheets and wherein:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of a floor .type vacuum cleaner embodying the invention, with a hose and dusting tool attached thereto for off the floor cleanin a Fig. 2 is an elevational view, with certain parts shown in section, of a cleaner embodying the invention and arranged f Fig. 3 is a ,fragment'aryview similar to'Fig. 2 but illustrating the manner in=-whic h anattachment converter is connected to the machine;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal ,sectional view of the machine andillustra'ting a modified form of interlock between the. converter port coverand the circuitof the cleaner-motor;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical'sectional view of a modified formof the invention illustrating the belt lifting mechanism ofthe cleanerwhen the same is arranged for .on the floor cleaning;

Fig. ,8 is ahorizohtal sectional view-0f thebelt.

lifter mechanism of the embodiment positioned as illustrated inFig. 7;

Fig. 9 isa vertical sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 5;. and

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line Ill-l0 of Fig. '7.

Floor type cleaners with which my new and improved conversion means are particularly use-' ful are illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, and include a vertical electric motor' 20.. forming a driving means for a suction creating means which includes a fan 22 arranged in a'fan chamber 24', the fan 22 being securedto the shaft 25 of the motor 20 for rotation therewith; 'The fan chainher is provided with an inlet 26 formed by a fan eye and an outlet'28 to which a dust collecting receptacle 3!] is connected. The cleaner further includes a rotary surface cleaning member or agitator 32 which is rotatably mounted within the floor nozzle 34, the; mouth 36 of the nozzle being normally Positioned slightly above the. surface upon which the cleaner supported for' movement by frontand rear wheels .3 8 and 40. Anair flow communication connects it 'enozzle 34 with the fan'22 throughthe inlet-2Q v o' th'at upon operation of the fan, dirt laden air is drawn through the mouth 36" of the nozzle and conducted to the receptacle 30 which isconnected to the fan'discharge 28. l

The design or the cleaner illustrated in Figs. .2 and '3 is in some respects slightly. different "from that illustrated in Figs. 5and 6, the construction and operation of the belt shifting mechanism, motonfan, nozzle, and-brush being the same:

The cleaner is provided with -a' handle 44' by means of which the machinemay be-maneuvered over a surface or surface covering which is to be mesa-14a suction at the mouth of the nozzle induced by operation of the fan draws such surface covering up against the mouth 88 of the nozzle where it is acted upon by the rotary surface cleaning member 82, in this case a rotary brush having bristles 48 which are adapted to sweep and/or beat the carpet to expedite the cleaning thereof.

The fan 22, as previously indicated, is secured to the vertical motor shaft 25 for rotation therewith and may consist of a series of blades-extending in a general radial direction from a hub 48, said hub forming a continuation of the shaft 25 of the motor and extending through the fan inlet 28 substantially at the center thereof and in spaced relation with the edges defining such fan inlet or inletopening 28. The inlet opening 28, as illustrated, comprises a central circular opening on the under side of the fan chamber 24 having its center substantially coinciding with the center of the hub 48. The hub 48 projects downwardly into the communication 42 at one end thereof and is formed to provide a pulley 58 having an endless elastic belt 52 associated therewith so as to be driven thereby. The belt 52 has driving engagement with a pulley 54 suitably formed on the rotary brush 42 adjacent the center thereof so that normally during operation of the motor 28 the fan 22 and the agitator 32 will be driven. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the belt 52 is arranged in and extends through the communication 42 between the nozzle 34 and the fan inlet opening 28, the communication 42 at its forward end opening into the nozzle 34.

The communication 42, except for the removable section 58, may be formed integrally with the body of the cleaner which may consist of a casting suitably formed to provide the fan chamber 24, the communication 42, and the nozzle 34. The communication 42 is provided with an upwardly facing opening or port 58 in its upper wall and which port is positioned at or adjacent the front of the cleaner near the center thereof and between the fan and the nozzle thereof. This port 58, which may hereinafter be designated as a converter port, is adapted to be closed by a. suitable cover 88 so that when the machine is used for on the floor cleaning, the port 58 is closed. The

port 58 consists of an opening to which a converter coupling may be connected so that the machine may be converted and used for off the floor cleaning. The cover 88 overlies the upper wall of the passageway 42 about the port 58 and may be pivoted as indicated at 82 to a part of the cleaner casting and for movement between the positions illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. When the cover 68 is open, that is, arranged as illustrated in Fig.- 3, a converter coupling 84 is adapted to be connected to the port 58 and thereby to the cleaner. The coupling 64 comprises a hollow air conducting member to which one end of a flexible air conducting hose 88 is, or is adapted to be, connected, the other end of the hose having provision for connecting a suitable cleaning tool such as that illustrated at 88, thereto.

An arm I8 is fixed to the cover 88 to move therewith and this arm is positioned exteriorly of and alongside the outer wall of the passageway 42 as illustrated in Fig. 4. A link 12 connects the arm 18 with an arm I4 of a gear sector 18 (Fig. 6) of the belt shifting mechanism for shifting the same between its two positions, as will be hereinafter explained. At this point, suflice it to say that when the cover 88 is closed, the belt shifting mechanism is arranged as illustrated in Fig. and so that the belt 52 is in driving relationship with the pulley 58. when the cover 88 is opened or positioned as illustrated in Fig. 3, the arm ll through the linkage just described has actuated the belt shifting mechanism so as to disenga e e belt 52 from driving relationship with the pulley 58. Of course, when the belt 52 is disengaged from the pulley 58, the driving connection between the motor 28 and the agitator 82 is broken. Therefore it follows that when the port 88 is closed, the agitator 32 is adapted to be driven by the motor 28 during the operation thereof, and when the port 88 is open or positioned as illlustrated in Fig. 3, the motor 28 may be operated without driving the agitator 32.

In order to prevent the belt shifting mechanism from breaking the driving connection between the motor 28 and the agitator 32. during the time that the motor 28 is operating, a means is provided to prevent this and, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a means for opening the motor circuit when the cover 88 is opened. A part of the motor circuit is illustrated in Fig. 2 and consists of a conductor 88 connected to one of the terminals 82-of the motor 28. Another conductor 84 connected to the other terminal 88 of the motor is connected to one terminal 88 of a switch 98', the other terminal 92 of the switch having connected to it a conductor 94 which together with the conductor 88 leads to the manually operated switch which is normally positioned on the handle 44 of the cleaner so as to enable the motor of the machine to be turned off and on conveniently.

The switch 98 includes movable and stationary contacts 98 and 98, the contact 98 being carried by a spring arm I88. A lever I82 pivoted at I84 to the body of the cleaner and biased in a counterclockwise direction by a spring I88 has an arm I88 which is adapted to engage a hump II8 on the arm I88 and hold the contacts 98, 98 closed when the cover 88 is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 1. Shifting of the cover to the position illustrated in Fig. 3 will enable the spring I88 to move the lever out of the path of the hump II8, thereby permitting the contacts 95 and 98 to separate and thereby open the motor circuit. The switch 98 of course will be closed it the cover 68 is returned to the position illustrated in Fig. 2. The switch 98 is also adapted to be closed by the insertion of a converter coupling 84 into the converter port 58 and to this end the coupling 84 carries an arm II2 (Fig. 3) which is adapted to engage an end II4 of the lever I82 and actuate the lever to close the switch 98 when the coupling 84 is properly positioned in the port 58. In Fig. 3 the coupling 84 has been inserted in the port but is not fully seated therein inasmuch as the bottom of the coupling 64 is not seated on the bottom wall of the passage 42.

Further particulars regarding the construction and the operation of the coupling are set forth in connection with the description of Figs. 8-10. Suflice it to say that when the coupling 64 is properly seated in the port 58, the mechanism just described will close the switch 98 and thereby close the motor circuit, assuming that it was closed at the time that the door 68 was opened. The switch 98 and the mechanism for opening and closing the same thus comprise a means for preventing the connection of the coupling 84 to the cleaner when the motor is driving the agitator, or otherwise stated, the switch 98 forms a part of an interlock between the converter port closure 60 and the motor circuit. It will also be apprecia'tedthat as soon as the coupling 64 is separated from the converter port 58 and from the cleaner, that the motor circuit will be opened, thereby preventing the separation of the coupling from the cleaner during the operation of the motor,- as well as'preventing the reestablishrnent of the driving connection between the agitator 32 of the cleaner and the motor when the latter is in operation;

In Fig. 4 a modificationof the interlock is illustrated and consists ofapositive lock for preventing either openingor closing of the converter port cover 50 during the operation of the motor. In the modification-illustrated in Fig. 4 the switch 90 has been eliminated and in its place a magnet at I l5-is suitably aflii'red to the outer wall of the passage adjacent the path of movement of the arm or linki; Thef magnet H6 is connected acrossthe circuit of the motor as illustrated die-- grammatically, the handle switch I previously referred Ito',-of the motor cir cuit,being also dia- 1 grammatically illustrated.

' Thmagnet lw includes a'laminated armature Q l22'zpivotedpati24 and-,biased-in a counterclockwise directionbyjspring I26. The armature I22 is providedwithgan arm or lock I28 which when the magnet is energized (that is, when the switch I20 is closed),isadapted tjojibe positioned in the path of movement-ofthe' arm I0. The arm 10 (shown inesectionl in;-this view is illustrated in full linesin its position when the cover 60 is closed, and in dottedvlines in its position when the cover 60 is open. When'the motor circuit is open the arm or lock I28 is positioned by the spring I26 out of the path of movement of the arm I0. However, during the time that the motor 20 is driving the fan and the agitator'of the cleaner and with the converter port cover 60 in its closed position, the arm I0 will be positioned as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 4 and the lock I28 will obstruct its path of movement, thereby preventing the opening of the converter port at such time. 7

If the circuit of the motor I20 is open, the lock I28 will shift to the dotted line position indicated, thereby permitting the arm I0 to shift from its full to its dotted line position as the cover 60 is opened. When the circuit of the motor I20 is again closed after the coupling 64 is connected to the converter port, the lock I28 will prevent the arm 70 from being shifted back .to its full line position even though the coupling 64 might be separated from the port 58. as the motor circuit is opened by the switch I'20, the cover 60 may be shifted to its closed position. In this manner the belt shifting means cannot be operated either to engage or disengage the belt from its driving pulley 50 during the time thatthe motor 20 of the cleaner is operating.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated.

in Figs. 5-10 inclusive, the construction of the cleaner and of the belt lifter mechanism thereof is essentially the same as that employed in the previous modifications, the principal difference,

outside of the particular shape of some of theparts of the cleaner, being the provision of a different form of means for preventing the disengagement and reengagement of the belt from its driving pulley during the operation of the motor. The converter coupling illustrated in this embodiment is also the same as that illustrated in the previous embodiments. I The removable section 56 of the passage 42 sup- However, as soon,

ports the belt shifter mechanism which consists of a belt lifter or shifter I30 carried by an arm I32 which is pivoted at I34 to the bottom wall of the section 56. It should be observed that'the shaft I34 of the belt shifter I30 is disposedofi center relative to the driving pulley 50.

The pivot I34 consists of a pin fixed to the arm I32 to oscillate the same and having a gear I36 connected thereto for rotating the pin I34. The gear I34 meshes with the gear sector I6 so that when the arm I4 connected to the link I2 is shifted from the position illustrated in Fig.6 to that illustrated in Fig. 8, the belt shifter I30 will be shifted from the position illustrated in Fig. 7 t that shown in Fig. 8 and vice versa. As previously described, the link I2 is connected to lthe arm I0 of the cover 60 so that when the cover 60 is closed the arm I4 is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 6, and when the cover 60 is open the arm I4 is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The belt lifter I30 extends vertically and is adapted to engage One strand of the belt 52, as it swings from the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 6 in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot I34, thereby moving the belt out of driving relation with the pulley as illustrated in Fig. 7. The sector I6 and gear I36 may be enclosed by a plate I40 afiixed to the under side of the section 56 which in turn is removably secured in any desirable way to the cleaner so as to complete the passage 42. For example, the forward end of the section 56 may seat on a ledge I 42 and the rear end of the section 56 may have a shoulder I44 engaged by a manually releasable latch I46. The belt lifter I30 projects upwardly from the bottom of :the passage 42 between the strands of the belt 52, and forwardly of the pulley 50. The upstream side of the belt shifter may be suitably formed so as to prevent the collection of lint, threads, etc., thereon.

In this modification the means for preventing the connection of the converter coupling 64 to the machine when the motor is running consists of a rod I50 slidably mounted transversely of the passage 42. The end I52 of the rod projects through an opening in the walls of the passage and is adapted to obstruct the path of movement of the arm 10 during the operation of the fan. The other end of the rod I50 is connected to a diaphragm I54 which is sealed to the inside wall of the passage 42 as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 9. The space enclosed by the diaphragm may communicate with atmosphere through aperture I56. During the operation of the motor .of the cleaner and of the fan, when the mouth 36 of the nozzle is operatively positioned adjacent the surface covering to be cleaned, the air pressure in the passageway 42 is below atmospheric, thereby displacing the diaphragm I54 to the right, looking at Fig. 9, and positioning the end I52 of the rod I50 in the path of movement of the arm 10. When the end I52 of the rod is in this position, the cover 60 cannot be opened or closed. However, when the motor is stopped the fan of the cleaner will stop and the air pressure in the passage 42 will rise to atmospheric pressure, whereupon spring I58 will move the end I52 of the rod out of the path of movement of the arm I0, thereby permitting the cover to be opened or closed.

The coupling 64 consistsof a sleeve or coupler member I60 conforming in cross section to the shape of the port 58. The sleeve I60 is cut away to form a slot or notch I62 which is adapted to accommodate the strands of the belt 52 when the bottom end of the sleeve I60 is seated upon the bottom wall of the passage 42 as illustrated in Fig. 10. As in some cases the passage 42 may be wider than the diameter of the sleeve I60, laterally extending wings I64 may be provided On the sleeve so as to close that part of the passage 42 not occupied by the sleeve I66.

The coupling 64 further includes a segment of a sleeve I66 arranged within the sleeve I60. Sleeve segment I66 includes a portion I68 which is adapted to close that part of the slot I62 not occupied by the strands of the belt 52. The sleeve segment I66 is cut away like the sleeve I60 so as to accommodate the strands of the belt 52 when the coupling is inserted in and removed from the cleaner, and the sleeves I66 and I66 are also cut away on the downstream side of the passage 42 so as to establish a communication between the fan inlet and the interior of the coupling 64. is positioned in the cleaner as illustrated in Figs. '1 and 10 and when the portion I68 of the sleeve segment I66 obstructs that part of the slot I62 not occupied by the strands of the belt 52, the coupling 84 shuts off the communication between the nozzle 34 of the cleaner and the fan inlet 26 thereof.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, the upper wall of the passage is provided with two radially extending slots I16 and I12 which accommodate the wings I64. The slot I12 includes an offset portion which accommodates a lug I14 carried by the sleeve segment I66 and extending outwardly therefrom through a slot I16 formed in the sleeve I60. When the coupling 64 is inserted in or removed from the cleaner, the lug I14 is positioned adjacent one of the wings I64 so as to pass through the slot I12 and below the upper wall of the pasage 42. After the lower end of the coupling is seated in the bottom wall of the pasage 42 the sleeve segment I66 may be turned by means of the collar I18 which is amxed to the upper end thereof so as to move the lug I14 to the position illustrated in Fig. '1 and below the rim of the port 58, thereby preventing the separation of the coupling 64 from the cleaner. The coupling I34 may be internally provided with lugs indicated at I80 for cooperation with bayonet slots I82 formed in the end I84 of the hose 66 for securing the same to the cleaner.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purpose of illustration only and is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

I claim:

1. A floor type vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being arranged in a fan chamber provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle, said cleaner having a passage-way connecting said nozzle to said fan chamber through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection comprising a belt and pulley arranged in said passage-way and between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan and motor, said passage-way being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan chamber through said inlet thereof, a converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting Thus when the coupling 64 member adapted to be connected with said port, means in said passage-way operable for disengaging said belt and pulley for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, an electric circuit for said motor, and means to prevent the connection of said converter coupling to said port and the operation of said means to disconnect said belt from said pulley while said circuit is closed.

2. A floor type vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being arranged in a fan chamber provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle, said cleaner having a passage-way connecting said nozzle to said Ian chamber through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection comprising a belt and pulley arranged in said passage-way and between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan and motor, said passage-way being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan chamber through said inlet thereof, a converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting member adapted to be connected with said port, means in said passage-way operable for disengaging said belt and pulley for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, means to prevent the connection of said converter coupling to said port and the operation of said means to disconnect said belt from said pulley while said motor is driving said agitator, said means comprising a cover adapted normally to close said converter port, and means to prevent movement of said cover which opens said 'port while said motor is operating.

3. A vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being arranged in a fan chamber provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle, said cleaner having a passageway connecting said nozzle to said fan chamber through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, 2. driving connection comprising a belt and pulley arranged in said passageway between said motor and said agitator foractuating the latter during operation of said fan and motor, said passageway being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan chamber through said inlet thereof, a converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting member adapted to be connected with said port, means operable for disengaging said belt from said pulley for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, means to prevent the connection of said converter coupling to said port while said driving connection is. engaged, and means arranged to prevent the operation of said means for breaking said driving connection when said. motor is operating.

4. A vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle, said cleaner having a passageway connecting said nozzle to said fan through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection comprising a belt and pulley arranged in said passage-way and between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan, said passage-way being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan through said inlet thereof, a converter coupling air conducting member adapted to-heconnectedv with said port, means in said passage wayzoper-v connection is engaged, means for opening said motor circuit, and means arranged to Prevent the operation of said means for breaking said driving connection when said motor circuit is closed; I

1 5 A vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an-electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle connected to said fan throu'gh'said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection comprising a belt and pulley between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan, a passageway extending between said fan air inlet and said nozzle and in which said belt and pulley are arranged, said passageway being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan through said inlet thereof, a converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting member comprising ax-rhollow adapted to be connected with said port, means operable for disengaging said belt from said pulley for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, means to prevent the connection of said converter coupling to said port while said driving connection is engaged, an electric circuit for said motor, and an interlock between said means for breaking said driving connection and said motor circuit which requires that said circuit be open before said means for breaking said driving connection is operated.

6. A vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being arranged in a fan chamber provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle connected to said fan chamber through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan and motor, said cleaner being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan through said inlet thereof, a converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting member adapted to be connected with said port, means operable for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, a cover adapted normally to close said converter port and movable between closed and open positions, means to prevent the connection of said converter coupling to said port while said driving connection is engaged, and suction operated means operable to prevent opening of said cover during operation of said motor.

7. A vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor having a vertical shaft, a fan arranged in a fan chamber below said motor and connected to said shaft to be driven thereby, said fan chamber being provided with an air inlet on the under side thereof, a nozzle having a downwardly presented mouth, and an agitator operatively associated therewith, said cleaner being provided with wheels for movably supporting the same, means forming an air passageway between said nozzle and said fan chamber inlet for inducing a flow of air into said nozzle during operation of said fan, said passageway being provided with a converter port, a converter coupling the motor, said fanjbe' a ollow air- .e

comprising and comprising an;electric moton aian connected.

during operation of. ,e r n dri a a chamber, provided with an inlet-,an air intake nozzle saidv cleaner having a passageway contheretoand driventther necting said nozzle to said fan' chamber through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection comprising a belt and pulley arranged in said passageway and between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan and motor, said passageway being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan chamber through said inlet thereof, a pivoted handle for maneuvering said cleaner over a surface covering to be cleaned with said nozzle and agitator operatively positioned relative to said surface covering, a converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting member adapted to be connected with said port, means in said passageway operable in all positions of said handle for disengaging said belt and pulley for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, and means to prevent the connection of said converter coupling to said port and the operation of said means to disconnect said belt from said pulley while said motor is operating and driving said agitator.

9. A floor type vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being arranged in a fan chamber provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle, said cleaner having a passageway connecting said nozzle to said fan chamber through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection comprising a belt and pulley arranged in said passageway and between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation of said fan and motor, said passageway being provided with a converter port communicating with said fan chamber through said inlet thereof, a pivoted handle for maneuvering said cleaner over a surface covering to be cleaned with said nozzle and agitator operatively positioned relative to said surface covering, a converter coupling comprising a hollow air conducting member adapted to be connected with said port, means in said passageway operable in all positions of said handle for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, a member adapted to obstruct said converter port, and means to prevent opening movement of said member to a nonobstructing position relative to said port and the operation of said means to break said driving connection when said motor is energized.

10. A floor type vacuum cleaner having a body and comprising an electric motor, a fan connected thereto and driven thereby during operation of the motor, said fan being arranged in a fan chamber provided with an air inlet, an air intake nozzle, said cleaner having a passageway connecting said nozzle to said fan chamber nducting member" L adapted tobe-connected withsaidport, said shalt extending through said ran chamber inlet into} said passagewayca-belt arranged-in driving relaltionship withsaidshaftandnagitator f or actuating; the latter during operation of said ian andmotor,

beltgshifting means aforylifting thebeltout oi] driving relationship with said shaft, a cover; for said port, and suction operatedmeansto. prevent? 11 through said inlet, an agitator operatively associated with said nozzle, a driving connection comprising a belt and pulley arranged in said passageway and between said motor and said agitator for actuating the latter during operation oi said fan and motor, said passageway being provided with a converter port communicating with said 1 .11 chamber through said inlet thereof, a pivoted handle for maneuvering said cleaner over a surface covering to be cleaned with said nozzle and agitator operatively positioned relative to said surface covering. a converter coupling comprising a hollow, air conducting member adapted to be connected with said port, means in said passageway operable in all positions of said handle for disengaging said belt and pulley for breaking said driving connection between said motor and said agitator, to prevent the connection of said converter coupling to said port and the operation of said means to disconnect said belt from said pulley while said circuit is closed, said means comprising a member adapted normally to obstruct said converter port an electric circuit tor said motor, means so as to prevent the insertion or said converter REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,458,939 Hume June 19, 1923 1,726,592 Spanel Sept. 3, 1929 2,072,690 Smellie Mar. 2, 1937 2,148,656 Smellie Feb. 28, 1939 2,322,223 Coss June 22, 1943 2,366,481 Berg Jan. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 438,622 England of 19 5

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