US2608268A - Suction cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 26, 1952 5gb 2,608,268

SUCTION CLEANER Filed June 17, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 y 14 I 5 22 I 4 1 22 46 g 0 I HIIHII I Ullllll I ,8

I :7 a 94 a I Z In" 54 25th W37 2 5 l3 J5 m 38 i. 59 0 34 /Z 5 INVENTOR. 6'- Gerber ATTORNEY.

Aug. 26, 1952 D. c'. GERBER SUCTION CLEANER Filed June 17, 1948 IN V EN TOR. fizzle C Gerber ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 26, 1952 SUCTION CLEANER Dale 0. Gerber, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application June 17, 1948; seminb sasza- 18 Claims. 1

The present invention. relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to a novel arrangement of parts afiord'ing unusual simplicity, compactness. and operating efiiciency.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a suction cleaner having a unique arrangement of parts. More specifically it is an object to provide a cleaner having a novel filter construction characterized by its simplicity, compactness, high efficiency and cleaning convenience. Another object is to combine a mechanical filter with a finalfilter in a unique manner.

A further object is to provide a. construction in which the final filter also serves to collect dirt separated by the mechanical filter. As a result, the machine may be cleaned and restored to maximum efficiency simply by emptying. the dirt from the final filter receptacle.

A further object is the provision of a compact suction. cleaner readily separable into two parts one of which houses a quickly detachable. filter and dirt receptacle and the other a unitary motor-fan-mechanical filter assembly.

Another object is the provision of a cleaner construction adapted to employ an inexpensive, permeable, disposable paper bag as the final filter and-as a' dirt receiving receptacle for a separable primary filter whereby the machine may be cleaned by removing the paper bag and replacing it by a fresh one.

Still other. objects will become apparent from the detailed description of representative embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2' is a vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment.

The cleaner comprises a casing in having a series of air discharge openings H. A channel shaped annulus I2 is secured to the upper, inner side of the casing and carries a resilient sealing gasket l3. Dome l4 overlies the casing and is detachably secured thereto in airtight relation by apair of over-center clamping devices l5. Dome l4 may be. provided with a cleaner transporting handle l6.

A combined multiple-stage motor-fan unit and a mechanical or impact filter device generally indicated by numeral I! is partially housed by dome l4 and is supported therein by means of an annular partition I8. The outer periphery of partition [8 is secured to the dome by screws, rivets or other means. The inner edge 20 is shown as terminating between electric motor 2| the adjacent portion of housing. 24-.

and the exhaust stage of the multiple-stage fan. The motor flange is secured to partition l8 by screws 22.

Motor shaft 23' projects axially downward throughfan casing 24 into casing Ill. The upper end of casing 24 is secured to partition l8 by screws as clearly indicated in the drawings. Housed within this casing and secured to motor shaft 23 is first stage 25 and second stage-"26 of the suction air fan. Interposed between stages 25 and26 is interstage 21 one shroud 28- of which projects beyond the periphery and'is downturned for convenient support upon fan casing 24 as by screws 29. The interstage directs the air discharged by fan 25 radiallyinward to the inlet of stage 26 as'is customary in multiple-stage fan units. Stages 25 and 26 are held in assembled relation on the motor shaft by means of spool 30 and lock nut 3|.

Themechanical separator is shown as being of the impact type formed as a frusto-conical stamping-32. The smaller end 33 is unperforated; The larger; end flares outwardly to form the radial flange 34 from which a plurality of blades 35 may be stuck. Theseblades preferably extend ata slight angle to radial lines and function to prevent air from entering between flange 34 and Thus the blades serve as a substitute for a running air seal at this point;

The sidewallsof separator" 32 are slotted and alongitudinal edge of each is. struckinwardly as indicated at 36. The slotssand associated blades 36. arezinclined slightly to the axis of shaft 23 for the purpose of throwing foreign particles of dust and other material outwardly and. downwardly into the dirt" receptacle.

Mounted on the underside of fan casing24 opposite. air inlet 31 to stage 25 is a bearing support 38 for any suitable form of outboard bearing 39 such as as an oilless bearing. Bearingcasing-38 is attached to housing .24 in spaced relation by arms 40 so asnotto interfere with the free passage of the suction air stream from the interior of separator 32 to the multiple-stage fan. Separator. 32 is secured to the shaft by means of spool 4| and lock nut 42, The inner. edge of the spool fits against the non-rotating bearing housing.

Surrounding base 28 of the fan is an annular sheet metal stamping 44. Stage 26 discharges into the chamber thus formed through a plurality of ports inv casing 24. A conduit 46 at one'side of chamber 44 conducts the discharge air into annular'final filter chamber 41 formed by the imperforate cylindrical member 48 and the wall of filter bag 49. a

Filter bag 49 may be of any suitable filter material but preferably is of paper construction in order that it may be disposed of when full and replaced by an inexpensive new one. The outer portion of its closed bottom 50 is held pressed against a resilient support such as a sponge rubber pad 52 in the bottom of dirt receptacle II] by means of beaded flange 53 on the bottom of cylinder 48. This cylinder is preferably attached to diaphragm I8 so as to be removable along with the cleaner end cap I4. The upper end of the filter bag has an outturned flange 54 which seats on the inner rim of annulus I2. One or more gaskets of suitable material may beplaced above or below flange 54 to allow for 'manufacturin tolerances and to assure an airtight seal.

From the foregoing it will be clear that my dirt receptacle is provided with an inner main filter chamber 55 which serves to collect the major portion of the dirt separated out by the impact separator 32. Surrounding this is an annular final filter chamber 47. The dirt collected in chambers 55 and 41 is all contained within the The operation of the preferred form of this novel cleaning apparatus will be self-apparent from the foregoing description but will be reviewed briefly here. After connecting the conventional cleaning tools andfiexible hose to coupling 58, the operator presses an electrical switch for the motor fan unit to start it in operation. This switch, not shown, may be of the press-press type mounted in the top of easing I4 and operated by foot pressure. The fan um't sucks the dirt-laden air through the nozzle, the 'hose' connections and into the top of chamber .55. *The air then passes through slots 36 'in the impact separatorand through inlet opening 31' into the eye of stage 25. Thereafter, the air flows through the interstage 21 into the inlet of stage 26. The

air discharging from this stagepasses through openings 45 into the annular chamber44 and through its discharge outlet 46 into the final filter chamber 47. This clean air then passes through the wall of filter 49 into chamber 56 and through openings I I in casing I0 back into the room. The bulk of the dirt carried by the air is separated by the impact separator 32 and collects in chamber 55. The smaller particles of dirt still carried by the air. stream then pass into chamber 41 of the final filter where they are easily and eificiently removed by the relatively clean wall of filter 49.

It will be noted that the great bulk of the dirt is removed in chamber 55 and is prevented from coming in contact with the filter wall by reason of partition 48. Instead, it collects on the bottom of the filter bag. The small amount of fine dust not separated by impactor 32is removed by the vertically disposed wall 49 of the filter from which it readily falls into the bottom of dirt- 4 collecting space 41. By picking up the cleaner and setting it on the fioor two or three times rather sharply, the small amount of dirt tending to adhere to the filter wall will be easily dislodged and will collect at the bottom of chamber 41.

It will therefore be apparent that the filter in this novel arrangement and construction of parts is so located and positioned as to maintain a very high operating efficiency at all times even after the collection chambers have become substantially filled with dirt.

-To remove thecollected dirt the operator simply'releases' clamps I5 and lifts cap I4 with its attach-ed motor fan unit and separator cylinder 48 from casing Ill. The dirt in chambers 47 and 55 then co-mingles in the filter bag. The dirt is simply and expeditiously removed by the operator grasping the top of the filter bag and collapsing it in airtight manner against the collected dirt as the bag is removed to a point of disposal. A fresh paper filter is then inserted and the cap reassembled and clamped in position.

The principles of this invention can be carried out very effectively when the parts are arranged other than vertically as just described in connection with the preferred form. For this instance. one alternative arrangement is illustrated in Figure 2 wherein the similar or corresponding parts to those in the preferred form are designated by primed reference numerals. In view of the substantial identity of the greater number of parts, it is not thought necessary tomake a detailed description of each, reference being had tothe description of the preferred form for a detailed understanding of the modification shown in Figure 2.

In general it will be noted that the construction is very similar except that the parts are arranged horizontally ratherthan vertically. The dirt separation and storage casing I0 mates with a removable end cap section I4 which, as in the preferred form, carries the motor fan unit as an integral assembly. Casings I0 and I4 may be separably connected together by over-center snap acting clamps or by any equivalent arrangement. The assembled unit may be mounted on wheels or, as illustrated herein, upon skids 65-455.

It will be noted that the air intake coupling 58 difiers from that in. the preferred form in that it extends outwardly from the casing and is bent to lie parallel to but spaced from housing I4. This latter portion, designated as 66, is secured to the casing nearits outer end byv a bracket 6'! and serves as a convenient carrying handle for transporting the cleaner from placeto place about the house. End cap I4 may also be provided with a stamping 68 having struck inwardly therefrom a rounded handle forming portion 59. This handle corresponds'to handle I6 of Figure 1 and facilitates carrying of the cleaner in a vertical position.

It willalso be noted that the end of casing I0 is flat making it possible to store the cleaner in upended position wherein it occupies a' minimum of storage space. Handle 69 makes it convenient to place the cleaner in vertical storage position and to carry it to and from a place of use. a

In lieu of air discharge openings II in the side wall of the casing, member I2 and the rim of diaphragm I8 are provided with aligned openings ID. A single opening II is located in the end of cap I4. As illustrated, this opening is provided with a hose coupling for the connection of aeos aea i the. customaryhose and tools should it. be. desired. to use the discharged air stream for such purposes. as hair drying, paintspraying, dispersal of deodorants andjthe-like.

' Operation.

The modification operates in the same manner described above in connection with the preferred form. Dusting tools and the usual hose are connected t inlet coupling 58'. Operation of the motor-fan unit draws air in through this. coupling, tubular handle 65 and one end ofthemain dirtchamber 55. The air then passes into. impactseparator 32' and throughinlet 31' to the first stage of the fan. The air then: passes through interstage 21. and into the second stage 26 The air next passes intouthe chamber formed by annulus 44', through discharge tub 46. and intothe final filter chamber 41.. Any dust. re-

maining in the air is removed as the air passes may then be liftedfrom the cleaner together: with all. the dirt. collected in the main. chamber 55 and in final filter chamber 41'. The; top of the bag may then be closedand the bag and itscollected: dirt disposed. of. Thereafter anew bag is inserted and end cap I4." is replaced and clamped to the bottom section, This simp le operation is all that, is, required torestorethe cleaner to maximum cleaningefiectiveness.

It will now be apparentthat thepresent invention; embodies an unusually unique, arrangement of parts for a suction cleaner. Not only is the construction extremely simple and rugged, but it incorporates a novel filter arrangement in which the bulk of the. dirt is stored entirely out of contact with the filtering surface. Moreover, the filtering bag wall is reservedforuse as afinal filtering surface. Upon disassembly, the dirt. separated by both the primary and the final filters isautomatically collected in the disposable filter bag which can be simply removed, thrown away and I replaced-by a fresh bag,

Obviously the variousparts can be otherwise formed and disposed relative to one another Without departing from the essential principles of .the present invention. that although themechanical filter illustrated is of the impact type, other types may be, used. For example it can be replaced by various arrangements of cyclone filters, Thus, the incoming dirty air stream may expand downwardly into chamber as the dirt settles out. A centrally located conduit can then be used to conduct the air stream to inlet 31" of the fan unit, all as is well known in the cyclone filterv art.

It will therefore be understood that the protection for which application is made is not confined to the particular combination of features or elements set out in the annexed claims. Protection is herein applied for for anyone or more of, the features or elements referred t in the following claims, or described in the foregoing specification, or shown in the accompanying drawings, either independently or in combination.

What is claimed is:

l. A suction cleaner comprising a two-part cas- It is als to be understood chamber;

ing,, a. motor-fan unitmountedwithin one otsaid parts, a, removable filterbag having, air-integral bottom-.mounted1- within theiother of said casing parts; a partitioncoopera-ting with the botto nof said: filter bag;v to. divide said filter into. amain dirt collectingchamber, and. a supplemental dirt collecting; chamber, means for. directing; dirtladen air, throu h; first-one and then thelother 5 of. said, chambers, and means in saidmain dirt chamber: to separate major portions of the; dirt from said air stream as it passes therethrough and to deposit. the separated dirt in said bag,

2; A dirt separator: for use'in separating dirt froman-air, stream comprising a casing, a remorse able filter baghaving a closed end supported therein, resilient means. mounted, opposite. the closed end of said bag, an. imperforate. member withinsaid bag and supportedagainst said closed bag end oppositev said resilient. means to; divide the bag into two chambers, and means for direct.- ing a dirt-laden air stream through first one; and then the-other of saidchambers. I

3. A- dirt separator as claimed inclaim 2 in which said partition isshaped to form a central main. dirtseparation chamber and a surroundin supplemental dirt separation chamber.

4:. A dirt. separator as claimed in claim 2-in whichsaid imperforateimember is shaped to-form a; central, main dirt separation chamber'and. a surrounding final filter chamber-,and mechanical filter. meansassociated with said main dirtchamber through which said. air. stream passes operable to separate a. major portion of the, dirt there.- from.

5; Asuction cleaner comprising two open ended casings adapted to inter-fit; to form a housing; a motor-fan unit mounted within one of. said-.casing and removable: therewith, a filter bag mounted within and. having an open end: positioned across the opening of said other casing, a tubular memberextending, lengthwise of said bag and, cooperating with the bottom. thereof to. form a. central main dirt chamber and an outer final filter. chamber, and means associated with. said motor-fanv unit for directing; a, dirt.- laden air stream through said central main dirt chamber and then through. said final, filter 6. A suction cleaner as claimed in claim 5 in which said main, dirt chamber is providedwithga mechanical filter in the path of saidair stream.

'7. A suction cleaner, as claimed in claim 5.. h aving: a power-driven mechanical separator, operable to separate, dirt. from said air stream as it passes. through, said main dirt. chamber.

8.. A. suction. cleaner comprising. twojcupshaped casings having theirjrims adapted twin-.- terlock to form a housin a motor-fan unit mounted within one of said casings, a filter bag within said other casing adapted tobe closed when said casings are assembled, an imperforate member removable with the casingcarrying said motor-fan unit, said member cooperating. with the closed end of said filter to dividethe filter into aprimary dirt chamber and an outer final filter chamber, an impact dirt separator driven bysaid, motor-fan unit and located to, direct dirt separated thereby into said primary chamber, and means associated. with said. motor-fan unit to direct an air stream through saidimpact dirt separator; and thenthrough saidfinal filter chamber.

9. A suction cleaner as claimed in claim 8 in which resilient means is interposed between one of said casings and the bottom of said filter bag 7 opposite said imperforate Wall to form a seal between said primary and final filter chambers.

10. A suction cleaner comprising two open ended casings adapted to inter-fit to form a suction cleaner housing, a motor-fan unit mounted within one of said casings, a tubular filter memher having one end removably supported across the other of said casings near the open end thereof, the other end of said tubular filter having an in-turned flange located adjacent the bottom of said other casing, an imperforate tubular member of smaller cross-section than said filter extending lengthwise within said filter and adapted to seat on said in-turned fiange to hold said filter assembled in said casing, said imperforate member cooperating with said filter to form a central dirt chamber and an outer annular dirt chamber, and means associated with said motor-fan unit for directing a dirt laden air stream through first one and then the other of said dirt chambers.

11. A suction cleaner having a cup-shaped casing, an in-turned flange near the peripheral lip of said casing for supporting a filter bag, a filter bag having an open end adapted to be mounted and seated upon said iii-turned flange, the other end of said filter bag being positioned adjacent the bottom of said casing, a'readily removable imperforate tubular member of smaller cross section than said filter adapted to be supported within said filter bag and cooperating therewith to form a central dirt collecting chamber and an annular dirt collecting chamber, means for supporting a motor driven suction fan on said casing, the inlet of said fan being in communication with said central dirt collecting chamber and the discharge end thereof being in communication with said annular dirt collecting chamber, and duct means for conducting a dirt-laden air stream into said central dirt chamber.

'12. A suction cleaner comprising a two part casing readily separable from one another for removal of a dirt filtering bag, a motor fan unit secured to and housed in one of said casing parts, a unitary'filter bag having an open end and a closed end, means removably supporting said filter bag within said casing, imperforate means extending through the open end of said bag and cooperating with'the closed end thereof to divide said filter bag into a first dirt separation chamberand a second dirt separation chamber, the arrangement of said filter and imperforate means being such that dirt separated in both said first and second chambers collects in said filter bag and is removable therein when the same is withdrawn from said cleaner, and means associated with said motor fan unit for directing dirt laden air through first one and then the other of said dirt separation chambers.

13. A suction cleaner comprising a two part casing readily separable from one another for the removal of a dirt filtering bag, a motor fan unit secured to and housed by one of said parts, a unitary filter bag having an open end and closed end, means removably supporting said filter bag within the other of said parts and leaving said filter bag free for removal therefrom when said casing parts are separated, imperforate means cooperating with said closed end to divide said filter bag into a first dirt separation and collecting chamber and a second dirt separation and collecting chamber, and means associated 8 with said motor fan unit for directing dirt laden air through said first dirt separation and collecting chamber and then through said second dirt separation and collecting chamber.

14. Separator means for use in separating dust from air comprising a housing, a readily removable, unitary one-piece air permeable receptacle therein, a non-permeable partition within said receptacle and-cooperating therewith to form a main dirt chamber and a supplemental dirt chamber, means for separating dirt from an air stream as it passes through said main dirt chamher and depositing the separated dirt into said air permeable r ceptacle, and means directing the partially de-nuded air stream into said supplemental dirt chamber and through said permeable receptacle to remove additional dirt from said air stream whereby all the separated dirt collects in either said main or supplemental dirt chambers of said air permeable receptacle and is removable therein from said housing.

15. A separator as defined in claim 14 in which said non-permeable partition is readily removable from said receptacle whereby the separated dirt in both said main and supplemental chambers co-mingles and is contained entirely within said air permeable receptacle for ready removal from said separator.

16. A dirt separator for a suction cleaner having a casing, a unitary dirt filter bag having a closed end and an open inlet end, means for detachably seating the open end of said bag in said casing, readily removable cover means normally holding said bag in place on said seating means and, upon removal, leaving said bag free for withdrawalfrom said casing, a tubular imperforate member separably supported Within said bag with one end thereof bearing against a Wall of said bag and having a major portion of its walls spaced from the walls of said bag to form a first dirt collecting chamber interiorly of said tubular member and a second dirt collecting chamber between the exterior thereof and the adjacent walls of said filter bag, and means for directing a dirt laden air stream into the central partof said tubular means and thereafter into the annular space between the exterior surface of said member and said filter bag,

17. A dirt separator for a suction cleaner as defined in claim 16 in which said removable cover, said air directing means and said tubular member are removable from said casing leaving the dirt separated in said central chamber and in said annular space collected in said removable filter bag.

18. A dirt separator for a suction cleaner as defined in claim 17 in which said air directing means and said tubular member are removable from said filter bag as a unitary assembly.

DALE C. GERBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 926,070 Matchette June 22, 1909 1,103,548 Spencer July 14, 1914 1,115,873 Spencer Nov. 3, 1914 2,405,625 Whiton et al Aug. 13, 1946

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