US2664587A - Conversion arrangement for suction cleaners - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 5, 1954 w. H. KITTO CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed March 22, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOH. [Uz'llz'am f9. Az'iio ATTORNEY.

Jan. 5, 1954 i w. H. KITTO 2,664,587

CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed March 22, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. (Z/z'ZZz'am fl Kz'ZZo Jan. 5, 1954 w. H. KITTO 2,664,587

CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS Filed March 22, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Fly 7 William HKZ'ZZO a? ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 5, 1954 CONVERSION ARRANGEMENT FOR SUCTION CLEANERS William H. Kitto, Evanston, 111., assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 22, 1950, Serial No. 151,126

12 Claims. 1

This invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to an arrangement for converting a suction cleaner from on-the-floor cleaning to off-the-fioor cleaning.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a converter receiving tube which is movable relative to the body of the cleaner to perform a function useful in converting the cleaner to off-the-floor cleaning in which the tube is normally locked against movement and is released for movement to operative position by the insertion of the converter tool into the converter opening. Another object is the provision of a converter tube movable between two positions in which movement thereof to one position moves the wheels relative to the body of the cleaner to raise the nozzle sufficient to break the seal between the carpet and the nozzle and also looks the converter tool in the converter opening.

Another object is the provision of a conversion arrangement in which the insertion of the con verter tool into the converter opening opens the converter passageway valve and unlocks the suction passageway valve for movement to closed position extending across the suction passageway to block ofi communication between the nozzle and the fan.

Another object is the provision of a manually actuated valve for the suction passageway in which movement of the valve to its closed position extending across the suction passageway adjusts the wheels relative to the body of the cleaner to raise the nozzle for off-the-floor cleaning and also looks the converter tool in the converter open- 111g.

Another object is the provision of adjustable wheels for raising the nozzle for oif-the-fioor cleaning in which the adjustment of the wheels to nozzle raising position holds the suction passageway valve in closed position extending across the suction passageway.

Another object is the provision of a converter arrangement inwhich the wheels are adjustable relative to the cleaner body to raise the nozzle for off the-floor cleaning and the adjustment of the wheels to their nozzle raising position locks the converter tool in the converter opening.

Another object is'the provision of the adjustable'wheels to raise the nozzle for ofi-the-floor cleaning in which the wheel mounting mechanism holds the suction passageway valve both in its o'penand its closed positions;

I Another object is the provision of a suction passageway valve arrangement in which opening of 2 the suction passageway valve lowers the nozzle to its on-the-floor cleaning position and releases theconverter tool for removal from the converter opening.

Another object is a conversion arrangement in which the removal of the converter tool from the converter opening locks the suction passageway valve in its open position and also locks the adjustable wheels in their on-the-fioor cleaning position.

Another object is the provision of a conversion arrangement in which insertion of the converter tool into the converter opening unlocks the wheel adjusting mechanism for movement to the OE- the-fioor cleaning position.

Another object is the provision of a conversion arrangement in which insertion of the converter tool into the converter opening opens the motor circuit and the nozzle adjusting mechanism recloses the circuit when moved to the off-the-floor cleaning position.

Another object is the provision of a conversion arrangement in which insertion of the converter tool into the converter opening opens the motor circuit and the movement of the suction passageway valve to 1ts closed position recloses the motor circuit.

Another object is the provision of a movable converter receiving tube which operates to control a conversion function in which insertion of the converter tool into the tube opens the motor circuit and movement of the tube to its operative position recloses the motor circuit.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the suction cleaner according to this invention with certain parts broken away to show the details of construction;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view of the cleaner of Fig. 1 showing the converter tube being inserted to release the converter tube for subsequent movement;

Figure 3 shows the cleaner of Fig. l with the converter tool moved to a position to close the suction passageway and raise the rear wheels so as to raise the nozzle for ofi-the-fioor clean 2;

Figure 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view through the converter tube and tool showing now insertion of the converter tool into the converter tube opens the motor circuit;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows 3 showing how the converter tube is pivoted to the cleaner in the modification of Figs. 6 and 7 as well as the modification of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. l of a modifled form of the invention showing how the invention is'applied for lowering the-front wheels toraise'the nozzle'for ofi-the-fioor cleaningi'n a pivoted motor-fan type cleaner; and V Figure 'lshows the cleaner of Fig. 6 with the converter tube in its nozzle raising position. I

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, thesucticn cleaner of this invention comprises a main frame or body mounted for ambulatory movement on front wheels i I and adjustable rear whels "I2. The frame I0 is provided with a downwardly facing nozzle [3, connected by 1a ;suction,passage= way 14 to the eye 15 of the fan I6 driven by'a motor housed within the motor-fan housing i1. Rotatably mounted within the nozzle 13 is an agitator 18 many well known constructicirdriveh by a belt is! drivingly connected'in any suitable manner to a pulley'ontheshaft of the motorfan unit. The fan is provided with an exhaust passageway'llilleading toe filter'bag 2: having itsupper end suitably supported from "a propelling handle 22 pivoted to'the top ofthe exhaust passageway 20 at 23. During normal on-the floor cleaning the nozzle 13 is supported a suitable distance above the surface'covering being cleaned whereby the coveringisdrawnupwardly against thenozzle [3 by the suction 'of the fan l6 so as tobe contacted by the agitator [8.- The combined beating and brushing action of the'agitator and the suction of'the fan will dislodgedirt and'dust from the carpet and the suctionof the fan will carry the dust laden air through the suction passageway and fan eye I into the fan chamber where bythe fan will discharge it through the exhaust passageway 20 into the filter bag 2| and the dirt will be' removed from'the air as it passes through the walls of the filter.- For off the-fioor cleaning wherein any suitable dusting tool is connected to the'fan eye by means of'a flexible hose it is desirable to raise the nozzle above the floor sufiiciently to break the s'eal be tween the nozzle and the carpet in order that the carpet will. not'be injured.-

For. that "purpose a converter tube 24 is journaled to the suction passageway 14 about thex'farr eye 15. Referring to Figs. 1 and 5 the lower end of the converter tube 24 has a lower arcuate end ,25'adapted to swivel in the upper arcuate end 26 of the'suction passageway 14. The loweriend of the converter tube 'is also provided with an'annular flange 21 concentric with, the fan eye which swivels 'in'an opening in the inner wall of the suction passageway 14 adjacent the fan, eye 15 and concentric thereto. The-ponverter tube 24 is also provided with a cylindrical projection 29 which swivels in an opening ,30 in the outer wallofthe suction pas sageway I4. An extension 3| of the converter tube 24-jorms a portiorroi the upper well of the suction passageway i4 and also a converter passageway valve as-will be explained hereinafter. A converter port valve 32 is pivoted to oneside wall of the converter tube 24 and is normally biased to 'closed position by a spring 33. a

v The converter tube 24 is preferably normally held against pivotal movement by a latch 34 pivoted to the bottom wall of the tube andis spring-biased clockwise by spring 35 so; that its hooked lower end 3BLengages beneath the stop 31 extending outwardly from the motor-fan casing IT. The end 38 of latch 34 extends through an opening in the lower wall of the tube 24 and is adapted to be engaged by a cam 39 on the inner end of a converter tool 40 which is attached by means of a flexible hose to any suitable cleaning tool. A p y A second latch 4i isal so'pivotedto the lower wall of the tube 24 on the same pivot pin as the latch 34 and is spring-biased in a counterclockwise direction by spring 35 so that its end '4! normallyre'sts against the upper side of stop 31. An offset end 42 of latch 4| extends into a second opening in the lower wall of the tube 24 and is adapte to be projected through that opening bysprin'g "35 to engage behind a shoulder 43 on the lower side of the converter tool 40 when the converter tube 24 is pivoted upwardly so as to remove the end 4| of the latch 4| away from the stop 31 for a purpose which will later appear.-

One end of a link 44 is pivoted on a pin 45011 the cylindrical projection 29 eccentric to the pivotal axis of the converter tube 24 at a point above and forwardly ofthat axis. The other end of link44 is'pivoted to an arm 46 of a rear wheel carri'zge 4'! pivoted at 48 to the under side of exhaust passageway 20. The wheel carriage 41 is biased clockwise by a compressionspring 49 as shown. The arrangement is such that when the converter tube 24,. is in its normal latched position the link 44 will hold the carriage 41 in the proper position to locate the nozzle I3 at the proper height for optimum cleaning effec'tiveness. It is to be noted that the bias of spring 49 normally holds the tube 24 in its lowermost position. For that reason the latch 34 is not a necessity but has been provided toprevent a non-authorized movement of the tube 24 to its operative or conversionposition. 7

In order to prevent the cleaner from being operated for off-the-floor cleaning until the nozzle I3 is raised and the suction passageway valve 3| is closed a switch 10 (Fig. 4) is provided. The switch 1!] may be mounted on the inner wall; of the motor-fan casing 11 as shownin Fig. 4. The switch 10 is of a well known type having a button H spring-pressed outwardly. to closethe circuit when in outer position and to open the circuit when pressed inwardly. g H

The button 1| extends through an opening in the motor-fan casing I! and through an opening 13 in the inner well of the converter receivin tube 24 into a positionto be contaotedby the converter tool 40 as it is inserted into the tube 24. The switch 10 and the opening 13 are so posi tioned that as the link 44 moves past its overcenter'positiom as will be explained hereinafter, the inner wall of the tube 24 will move; free of the pin I l and permit it to move outwardly to'close the motor circuit. The opening 13 is tapered out wardly end the outer end of pin 'll-isrouride'd. as shown in Fig. i -and the bottomwall of the tube 24 has a cain'not'ch 14 fora'purpose which will presently appear. 7

The wiring diagram has notbeen shownsince any one skilled in the art can connect the switch Ill in the proper circuit with the usual "handle mounted menual switch and the motor to close the'motor circuit when both switches are closed and open the circuit when either switch is open.

7 The modification of Figs. 5 6 and '7 is similar to that of Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, exceptthat the front wheels are adjustable instead of the rear wheels and the cleaner is of the pivoted motor fan casing type. Where the parts are the same ent to Burkhardt above referred to. is supported for ambulatory movement by adaecgscw they have been given the same reference'numerals.

The cleaner of this modification is of the same general character as that shown in the patent to Burkhardt 2,225,621 dated December 24, 1940.

The cleaner of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 comprises a main frame 50 including a downwardly facing nozzle connected to the fan eye 52 by a suction passageway 53 and having a second tunnel on the opposite end of the motor fan unit for receiving the driving belt for the agitator 54 as in the pat- The frame justable front wheels 55 and rigidly attached rear wheels 66.

The casing 5'! which houses the motor fan unit is pivoted between the suction passageway 53 and the opposite belt receiving tunnel in a manner similar to that shown in the patent to Burkhardt above referred to. As shown in Fig. 5 the fan eye has an outwardly extendingfiange 58 received in a trunnion bearing 59 suitably secured to the frame 5%. Suitable sealing gaskets 60 and 6| are provided to prevent the leakage of air through the trunnion bearing. The flange 2] of the converter tube 24 is also received in the trunnion bearing 59.

The front wheels 55 are carried by offset pintles 62 of a crank shaft 63 pivoted to the rear of the nozzle SE at 64. The shaft 63 is provided with an offset arm 65 which pivotally receives the lower end of a link 66 pivotally connected at its upper end to the pivot pin 45.

The motor casing 51 is provided with an integral exhaust passageway 6'! discharging into a detachable filter bag 68 and with a handle socket 69 rigid with the exhaust passageway 61.

Operation When it is desired to convert the modification of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive to ofi-the-fioor cleaning the converter tool 40 is inserted into the converter tube 24. Its lower end will engage the converter port valve 32 and move it to open position as shown in Fig. 2. Simultaneously, the cam 39 will engage the end 33 of the latch 34 and pivot it counterclockwise against the bias of spring 35 and remove its hooked end 36 from below the stop 3'! so as to free the converter tube 24 for upward pivotal movement. At the same time the inner end of the converter tool 40 will engage the pin ll of switch 19 and press it inwardly so as to open the motor circuit.

The converter tube 24 is then pivoted upwardly. The slanted surface on the inner wall of the tube 24 about the opening l3 will engage the rounded end of the pin H and press the pin further inwardly and the motor circuit will remain open. At the same time the end 4| of the latch 4| moves away from the upper side of the stop 31 and since the latch 4| is biased counterclockwise by spring 35 the inner end of the hooked end 42 will be brought behind the shoulder 43 of the converter tool 42 and thus lock the converter tool in the tube 24.

If desired, while the tube 24 is being moved upwardly pressure can be applied to the rear of the cleaner to compress the spring 49 so as to aid in the movement of the tube 24 to operative position. Alternatively, the entire movingforce can be applied by pressing downwardly on the rear of the cleaner.

As the tube 24 is pivoted upwardly by any one of the foregoing methods the pivot pin 45 moves in the arc of a circle so as to move the link 44 downwardly and pivot the wheel carriage counterclockwise' against the bias of the spring 49 until the pin 45 passes its dead center position relative to the pivotal axis of the tube 24 and the lower pivot of link 44. When that occurs the pin H of switch will ride free of the inner wall of the tube 24 to permit the pin to move outwardly and close the motor circuit and the spring 49 will pivot the carriage 41 clockwise and positively move the tube 24 to its uppermost position of Fig. 3 where the extension or valve 3| will extend across the suction passageway l4 and close oil the suction nozzle l3 from communication with the fan eye I5.

In the position of Fig. 3 the nozzle [3 will have been raised upwardly'to a position where no seal will be made between the nozzle and any carpet or other surface upon which the cleaner may be resting.

' It is to be noted that in the position of Fig. 3 the spring 49 acts to hold the nozzle in its raised position, holds the converter tube 24 in its uppermost position, and the action of the latch 4| locks the converter tool 40 in place and since the valve 32 is then open and the valve 3| closed it also acts to hold those valves in those positions.

Conversely, the movement of the converter tube 24 to its upper position, and the overcenter mechanism above described, holds the wheels in their adjusted position with the nozzle raised, holds the converter in place, the converter port valve open and the suction passageway valve closed. Additionally, the insertion of the converter tool 42 unlocksthe converter tube 24 for movement and thus unlocks the nozzle adjusting mechanism and also the suction passageway valve 3| for movement. Furthermore, movement of the suction passageway valve 3| to its closed position may be said to hold the converter in place and to hold the wheels in their nozzle raising position. Movement of the suction passageway valve 3| to its open position may be said to release the converter and to return the wheel adjusting mechanism to its normal on-thefloor cleaning position. Removal of the converter tool 40 may be said to hold the converter passage valve 3| in its open position and the wheels in their normal on-the-fioor cleaning position. 1

When it is desired to reconvert to on-the-fioor cleaning the converter tube 24 may be manually moved clockwise or pressure may be applied to the rear of the cleaner to compress the spring 49 until the link 44 again returns to itsdead center position at whichtime the cam 14 on the inner wall of the tube 24 will engage the pin H and open the motor circuit. When the link 44 moves slightly past its dead center position the spring 49 will then positively move the tube 24 to the position shown in Fig. 2 whereby the end 4|, of the latch 4| will engage the stop 3'! and move the hooked end 42' from behind the shoulder '43 of tool 40-to release the tool 40 for removal from the tube 24. The removal of the tube 49 will permit the latch 24 to take the position of Fig. 1 and the pin 1| to move outwardly and reclose the motor circuit. The nozzle will have been lowered and the cleaner will again be conditioned for normal on-the-fioor cleaning. The modification ofFigs. 6 and 7 operates in a similar manner except that as converter tube 24 is moved upwardly, the link 66 moves downwardly to pivot the shaft 63 clockwise and moves the Wheels 55 downwardly and the nozzle 5| upwardly until the pin 45 is moved. past its dead center position. At that time the weightbf cleaner will move the time 21 to its up? position of Fig.7. In this n'iddification the V merit of the converter tube 24' may be aided by tilting the cleaner backwardly o'n the rear wheels- 56 whereby the frontyvheels 5 will drop down wardly by gravity and aid in the movement "of the tube 24 upwardly until the link lili mdves past its dead center position. If desired, e light spring may be provided for normally holding thfe Wheels 55 in their upper positibn and to prevent excess play in the mechanism. I

The switch mechanism for controlling the motor circuit has not been shown in this modification but it is to be understood that it is to be provided in a manner similar to thatsh'own the modification of Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

In the modification of Figs. 6 and 7 the weightof the cleaner may be said to hold the wheels in their adjusted position with the nozzle raised, hold the converter tube in its uppermost posi tion, hold the suction passageway valve closed and the converter tool 48 in the tube 24:

While I have shown but two modifications of my invention it is to be understood that these modifications are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure shown and described but to include all equivalent variations thereof except as limited by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A suction cleaner including a body, a down" wardly facing nozzle at the forward end of said body, a motor, a fan driven by said motor, said fan including a casing. having a" fan eye formed in said body, said body having a suction passageway extending between said fan eye and said nozzle, a converter receiving tube swivelled to said body on the axis of said fan eye for communication therewith, latch means carried by said tube and extending into the interior thereof for holding it against swivelling. movement, said converter receiving tube being movable from its latchedposition to an operative position to perform a function in converting the cleaner to off-the-fioor cleaning, a converter tool insertable into said converter receiving tube and means on said converter tool operable upon insertion ofi i-ceases said tool into said tube for engaging and relea'sing said latch means.

2-. A suction cleaner according to claim 1 551- cluding switch means "fer controlling. sen motor, said switch means being positioned to be engag d by said converter tool as it is inserted into :said tube to open the circuit or said new -and -to reclose the circuit upon movement of said tube to its operative position. 7

3. A suction cleaner including a move sewn: wardly facing nozzle at the from end of said body, means for supporting saidbody for ambulator'y movement with said nozzle positioned for on-the-floor cleaning-,said supportingfmcans being movably attached to said body for raising said nozzle for ofi-the-fioor cleaning, a motor, a fan driven by said motor, said fan includinga casing having a faneye and being carried by said body, said body having a suction passageway extending between said fan eye and saaid nozzle, a converter receiving, tube mounted mean body for communication with said fan eye, said-1 eon verte'r receiving tube being movable from anri operative position to an operative semen, moi tron 't'ransmitti earls "extending between said means and *operable upon movement'or said converter receiving tube to its operative position for moving said supporting means relative to said bbd y to raise said nozzle, a converter 'too1 insertable' into said tube, latch means carried by said tube and means operable in response to movement of said converter receiving tube to its operative position for actuating said latch means to latch said tool in said tube.

4. A suct'ion cleaner including a body, a down wardl y facing nozzle at the front end of said body, a motor, a fan driven by said motor, said fan including. a fan eye carried by said body, said body having a suction passageway extending between said nozzle and fan eye, a converter receiving tube carried by said body for communication with said fan eye, a valve in said tube and normally closing'ofi communication between said tube and fan eye, a second valve movable from an open position to a position extending across said suction passageway to close ofi communication between said nozzle and fan eye, latch means for locking said second valve in open position, a converter tool insertable into said tube, and means on said tool for opening said first valve and for unlocking said second valve as it is inserted into said tube.

5. A suction cleaner including a body, a downwardly facing nozzle at the front end of said body, means for sup-porting said body for ambulatory movement, said supporting means being movably attached to said body for raising said nozzle, a fan including a fan eye carried by said body, said body having a suction passageway extending between said fan eye and nozzle, means defining a converter receiving opening for communication with said fan eye, a converter tool receivable in said opening, a valve associated with said suction passagewayhaving an 'open position and a; closed position extending across said suction passageway for closing ofi communication between said nozzle and fan eye, latch means adjacent said opening, means operable upon movement of said valve to its closed position for actuating said latch means to latch said tool in: said opening and motion transmitting means connecting said valve and supporting means and operable upon movement of said valve from its open to its closed position for moving said supporting means relative to said body to raise said nozzle. 7

6. A suction cleaner according to claim 5 in which said motion transmitting means is also constructed to hold said valve in its closed position when said. supporting means is in its nozzle raising position.

7-. A suction cleaner including a body, a nozzle carried by said body, means for supporting said body for ambulatory movement, said supporting means being movably secured to said body to selectively position said nozzle in a position for on-the-floor cleaning or in a higher position for oii-the-fiocr cleaning, a iancarried by said body, said body having a suction passageway extending between said nozzle and the suction side of said fan, means defining a converter receiving openingv for communication with the suction side of saidi-a-n, a converter tool receivable in said opening, a valve asscciateda'with said suction passageway having an open position and closed position in which said valve extends across said suction passageway to close off communication between said nozzle and the sueuoeside of said Ian, latch means adjacent said pDenin'g for locking said converter 'ibli'lihg- "aiid said "[8 win sen-openin and neens-eperebie by movement of said valve to its open position for releasing said latch means and a linkage mechanism connecting said valve and said supporting means and operable by movement of said valve to its open position to move said supporting means to its on-the-floor cleaning position.

8. A suction cleaner including a body, a nozzle on said body, front and rear wheels attached to said body, said rear wheel attaching means including a carriage pivoted to said body and spring biased to urge said wheels away from said body, a fan on said body, said body being formed with a suction passageway connecting said nozzle to the suction side of said fan, a valve associated with said suction passageway movable from an open position to a closed position extending across said suction passageway to shut off communication between said nozzle and fan, and a linkage mechanism connecting said valve with said carriage, the arrangement being such that said linkage lies on one side of an overcenter position when said valve is open and on the other side when said valve is closed whereby the spring bias of said carriage resists movement of said valve from either its closed position or its open position and. movement of said valve to its open position permits the spring bias of said carriage to lower said wheels and movement of said valve to its closed position holds said wheels in a higher position so as to raise said nozzle for off-the-floor cleaning.

9. A suction cleaner including a body, a nozzle on said body, wheels for supporting said body for ambulatory movement, said wheels being movably attached to said body for selective movement relative thereto to position said nozzle at a lower position for on-the-floor cleaning and at a higher position for ofi-the-fioor cleaning, a motor and fan driven thereby on said body, said body being formed with a suction passageway connecting said nozzle with the suction side of said fan and with a converter tube for communication with the suction side of said fan, a converter tool insertable into said tube, said tube being manually actuatable, a linkage mechanism connected to said wheels and tube for moving said wheels to either the nozzle raising or nozzle lowering positions and switch means for controlling said motor located in a position to be actuated to open position by insertion of said converter tool into said tube and to be actuated to closed position by movement of said tube to its nozzle raising position.

10. A suction cleaner including a body, a nozzle on said body, wheels carried by said body for supporting it for ambulatory movement in on-thefloor cleaning. a motor and fan driven thereby on said body, said body being formed with a suction passageway connecting said nozzl to the suction side of said fan and with a converter tube for communication with the suction side of said fan, a converter tool insertable into said tube, a valve associated with said suction passageway and movable from an open position to a closed position extending across said suction passageway to close off communication between said nozzle and fan, said tube being manually actuatable for moving said valve to either of its positions and switch means for controlling said motor positioned to be actuated to open position by the insertion of said converter tool into said tube and to be actuated to closed position by movement of said tube to its valve closing position.

11. A suction cleaner including a body, a nozzle on said body, wheels carried by said body for supporting it for ambulatory movement in onthe-fioor cleaning, a motor and fan driven thereby on said body, said body being formed with a suction passageway connecting said nozzle to the suction side of said fan, a converter receiving tube movably secured to said body for movement from an inoperative position to an operative position for performing some function inconverting the cleaner to off-the-floor cleaning and switch means for controlling said motor positionedto be actuated to open position upon insertion of said tool into said tube and to be actuated to closed position upon movement of said tube to its operative position.

12. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a downwardly facing nozzle at the front of said body, front and rear wheels attached to said body for supporting it for ambulatory movement, a horizontal axis motor driven fan including a fan eye on said body, said body being formed with an upwardly and rearwardly extending suction passageway between said nozzle and said fan eye, a converter receiving tube pivoted to the upper end of said suction passageway on the axis of said fan and communicating with said fan eye, an extension on said tube normally forming a portion of the upper wall of said suction passageway and movable downwardly across said suction passageway when said tube is pivoted upwardly to close off communication between said nozzle and fan eye, said rear wheels being carried by a carriage pivoted to said body, spring means for biasing said wheels away from said body, an arm rigid with said carriage and extending forwardly from the pivot thereof, a link having its lower end pivoted to the forward end of said arm and its upper end pivoted to said tube above and forwardly of its pivotal axis when said tube is in its normal position whereby upward pivotal movement of said tube will move said carriage counterclockwise against the bias of said spring means until the upper pivot point of said leg passes a line extending between the pivotal axis of said tube and the lower pivot point of said leg and thereafter said spring means will positively move said tube to its uppermost position with said extension extending across said suction passageway and said nozzle raised upwardly and said tube is held in each of its positions by the bias of said spring means.

WILLIAM H. KIT'IO.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,024,260 White Dec. 17, 1935 2,072,690 Smellie Mar. 2, 1937 2,072,696 Whitaker Mar. 2, 1937 2,094,126 Kitto Sept. 28, 1937 2,126,362 Whitaker et a1. Aug. 9, 1938 2,143,018 Kitto Jan. 10, 1939 2,254,663 Osborn Sept. 2, 1941 2,372,033 Taylor Mar. 20, 1945 2,502,674 Sellers Apr. 4, 1950 2,517,670 Humphrey Aug. 8, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 438,622 Great Britain Nov. 20, 1935

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