US2671925A

US2671925A - Cleaning tool nozzle and agitator

Info

Publication number: US2671925A
Application number: US32113A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dale C Gerber
Original assignee: Hoover Co
Current assignee: Hoover Co
Priority date: 1948-06-10
Filing date: 1948-06-10
Publication date: 1954-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1971-03-16
Also published as: GB659656A

Description

March 16, 1954 c GERBER 2,671,925

CLEANING TOOL NOZZLE AND AGITATOR Filed June 10, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. Dale 6. Gerber 4 19 J5 ATTORNEY.

March 16, 1954 c, GERBER 2,671,925

CLEANING TOOL NOZZLE AND AGITATOR Filed June 10, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Dale 6: Gerber- ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 16, 1954 CLEANING TOOL NOZZLE AND AGITATOR,

Dale G. Gerber, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio ApplicationJune 10, 1948,.Serial No.. 32,113,

7 Claims.

I The present invention relates to suction cleaners and more particularly to surface cleaning tools for use with suction cleaning apparatus. An object of. the invention is to provide a new and improved surface cleaning tool. object is to provide a cleaning tool having a movable nozzle lip to selectively provide nozzle mouths of'varied cross-sectional area. A further object is to provide a cleaning tool having a brush which is selectively operable with respect to the surface to be cleaned. Another object is to provide a cleaning tool having a brush which is selectively operable by a movable. nozzle lip. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and drawings wherein:

Figure I is a perspective view showing a cleaning tool connected to a suction cleaner apparatus;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is asection showing the large nozzle connected to the source of suction, and the brush in inoperative position;

Figure 4 is a section showing the cleaning tool elevated from the surface to be cleaned with the movable nozzle lip in its projected. position;

Figure 5 is a section showing the small nozzle mouth connected to the source of suction and the brush in operative position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a section showing the large nozzle mouth connected" to the source of suction and the brush in inoperative position;

Figure 8 is a section showing the cleaning tool elevated from. the surface to be cleaned with the movable nozzle lip in its projected; position; and

Figure 9 is a section showing the small nozzle mouth connected to the source of suction and the brush inoperative position.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 5 comprises a suction cleaner of the cylinder type having a casing I in which is disposed an unshown filter and a source of suction, and extending from the casing III is a flexible hose II attached to av rigid wand I2 connected to a cleaning tool I3.

The cleaning tool I3 includes a body I4 having a nozzle mouth I5. defined by a front lip I6, end lips II-Il and a rear lip I8, the latter forming, part of. a member I9 mounted on a pair of pins 29-29 each of which is pivotally supported in one of the end lips H. The nozzle mouth L extends. substantially the length f the body I4. andcommunicates with a central air Another passageway 23 which at its upper end connects with the rigid wand I2 and thus to thesource of. suction. A suitable swivel joint 24 is provided to rotatably connect the rigid wand I2 to the body I4. A flexible member 25 is connected to the body It and to one end 26 of the pivoted member I9 to form part of the air passageway 23, and cooperates with the end lips II-I'I and pivoted member I9 to form a bristle housing chamber 28;

Each of the pins 20 is provided with a crank arm 29 and attached to the latter and the adjacent end lip I I is a spring 30 disposed about the pin 29. The springs 39 normally urge the member I9 to the position shown in Figure 4 when the cleaning tool is elevated from the surface being cleaned indicated at 32, whereby upon moving the cleaning tool forwardly as it contacts the surface 32, the member I9 assumes the position in Figure 3 to form the nozzle mouth I5 and places it in operative cleaning relation with the surface 32 and also connects it to the source of suction.

Formed in the pivoted member I9 is a nozzle mouth 35 for passage of a high velocity air stream, and it is of less cross-sectional area than the nozzle mouth I5. The small nozzle mouth 35 is placed in operative cleaning position with respect to the surface 32 by elevating the cleaning' tool as shown in Figure 4 and then pulling the tool rearwardly as the edge 36 of the member I9 engages the surface 32 to thereby pivot the member I9 to the position shown in Figure 5 to connect the small nozzle mouth 35 with the air passageway 23 and thus the source of suction. When the pivoted member I9 is in the position shown in Figure 5, the edge 36 of the pivoted member I9 seats in a recess 3Tand closes the large nozzle mouth I5. The opposite sides of the pivoted member I9 are provided with

bearing surfaces

38 and 39 to respectively engage the surface 32 when the large nozzle mouth I5 and small nozzle mouth 35 are in operative position with respect to the surface 32'.

At the rear of the cleaning tool body is an elongated recess 49 in which is movably mounted the brush back 41- of a brush 42 having bristles 43. The bristles 43 are urged into engagement with the surface 32 by a plurality of spaced springs 44, only one of whichis shown.

and; projection of the brush 4.2 is, limited, by angular members 457- 45 abutting the brush back 4.I. When the brush 42 is in operative p sition, Shown. in. Figure 5, the bristles; 43 ar moved into n a ement with the surface 32 by rotating the cleaning tool body on the arcuate surfaces 46 formed on the end lips IT. The bristles 43 are inoperative when the pivoted member I9 is in the position shown in Figure 3, in which position the member l9 covers the bristles 43 and also moves the brush inwardly of the recess 40 due to engagement of the member IS with the surface being cleaned.

In operation, assume the cleaning tool is connected to the source of suction and is elevated from the surface 32 which is to be cleaned, as shown in Figure 4, and it is desired to employ the large nozzle mouth I5 to remove non-imbedded dirt. At this elevated position of the cleaning tool, the Springs 38 pivot the member 19 to project the end 36 below the nozzle mouth as shown in Figure 4. The operator places the cleaning tool on the surface 32 with a forward motion to engage the member IS with the surface 32 and cause it to move to the position shown in Figure 3. In this position the member [9 covers the bristles 43 to render them inoperative and the brush 42 is also moved upwardly into the recess 40 against the force of the springs 44. When the member 19 is so adjusted the large nozzle mouth I5 is defined by the front lip l6, end lips I l-| 1 and the edge I 8 of the member l9, while the flexible member 25 forms part of the air passageway 23. The large nozzle mouth l5 provides for passage of a relatively low velocity air stream to remove dirt from the surface 32.

If the dirt, threads and other litter, is imbedded in the surface 32 the small nozzle 35 is employed. In order to shift the small nozzle mouth 35 into operative position, the cleaning tool is elevated from the surface 32 whereupon the springs 36 pivot the member 19 to the position shown in Figure 4. The operator then lowers the cleaning tool onto the surface 32 with a rearward motion causing the edge 36 of the member l9 to engage the surface 32 and move the member 19 to the position shown in Figure 5 to thereby connect the small nozzle mouth 35 with the source of suction. The small nozzle mouth 35 permits passage of a high velocity air stream to remove the dirt from the surface 32.

When the member I9 is in the position shown in Figure 5, the bristles 43 are uncovered and are urged into operative position by the springs 44. The bristles 43 engage the surface 32 upon rotation of the cleaning tool on the arcuate surfaces 46 of the end lips I! to thereby loosen the dirt for passage through the small nozzle mouth 35.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Y Figures 6 to 9 comprises a cleaning tool 55 having a nozzle mouth 56 defined by a rear lip 51, end lips 58-58 and a front lip 59 forming one edge of a member 60. The nozzle mouth 56 communicates with an air passageway 6| which at its upper end is rotatably joined with the rigid wand l2 for connection with the source of suction in the casing ill. A flexible member 62 is seated at'63 in the cleaning tool body and has its free end 64 curved for sealing engagement with the member 60 to form part of the air passageway 6|.

The member 60 is mounted on pins 65-65 each of which is pivotally supported in one of the end lips 58. Each of the pins 65 is provided with a crank arm 66 and attached to the latter and the adjacent end lip 58 is a spring 6'! disposed about the pin 65. The springs 6! normally urge the member 60 to the position shown in Figure 8 when the cleaning tool. is l fted 19m 4 the surface to be cleaned indicated at 69, whereby upon moving the cleaning tool rearwardly as it contacts the surface 69 the member 6!! assumes the position shown in Figure 7 to complete the nozzle mouth 56 and connect it to the source of suction.

A nozzle mouth 10 of less cross-section than the nozzle mouth 56 is formed by the rear lip 51, part of the end lips 5858 and the edge H of the member 60' as shown in Figure 9. The small nozzle mouth 10 is placed in operative position by elevating the cleaning tool as shown in Figure 8 and then lowering the tool upon the surface 69 with a forward motion to engage the end H of the member 60 with the surface 69 and pivot the member 60 to the position indicated in Figure 9.

The opposite sides of the member 60 are provided with bearing

surfaces

13 and 14 to respectively engage the surface 69 when the

nozzle mouths

56 and 18 are in operative position. Attached to the member 60 is a member 16 having a serrated edge 11 which cooperates with the edge H in defining the front lip of the small nozzle mouth 10. The curved end 64 of the flexible member 62 remains in contact with the pivoted member 60 as the latter is moved to its different position to maintain an air seal therebetween. The end lips 58 are each provided with an arcuate surface 15 to permit tilting of the cleaning tool on the surface 69.

Disposed in an elongated recess is a brush 8| having bristles 82 which are urged into engagement with the surface 69 by a leaf spring 83 as shown in Figure 9. The brush is inoperative when the member 60 is in the position shown in Figure 7, in which position the member 60 covers the bristles 82 and also moves the brush 8i inwardly of the recess 80 due to the surface 13 on the member 60 engaging the surface 69.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the large nozzle mouth 56 is formed by elevating the cleaning tool from the surface 69 to permit the springs 61 to rotate the member 68 to the position shown in Figure 8. The operator then places the cleaning tool on the surface 69 by a rearward motion to pivot the member 60 to the position shown in Figure 7, wherein the edge 59 of the member 60 cooperates with the end lips 58 and rear lip 51 to define the large nozzle mouth 56. In this position the member 60 covers the bristles 82 to render them inoperative and urges the brush 8| into the recess 88 against the force of the spring 83.

When it is desired to clean with the small nozzle mouth 19 and the bristles 82, the cleaning tool is raised from the surface 69 and the operator then applies the cleaning tool to the surface 69 by a forward motion to move the member 60 to the position shown in Figure 9 to thereby define the small nozzle mouth 10. In this position of the member 60 the bristles 82 are exposed and are urged into engagement with the surface 69 by the leaf spring 83 to assist in cleaning the surface 69.

While I have illustrated and described the invention in considerable detail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the arrangement, proportion and construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body. a nozzle mouth in said body. a surface agitator mounted on said body exteriorly to and independent of said nozzle mouth for engagement with the surface to be cleaned, first lip means defining a part of a surface engaging lip for said nozzle mouth, second lip forming means movably mounted on said body independently of said surface agitator for movement to one position to cooperate with said first lip means to define the complete lip of said nozzle, said second lip forming means when in said one position having means to cover said surface agitator to prevent engagement of the latter with the surface to be cleaned.

2. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, a surface agitator on said body for engagement with a surface to be cleaned, a first nozzle in said body, means movably mounted on said body and having therein a second nozzle mouth, means defining a conduit for connecting said nozzles with a source of suction, and means supporting said movable means on said body for movement to one position to obstruct said first nozzle except for the area of said second nozzle mouth and connect the latter to said conduit and movable to another position with respect to said surface agitator to prevent said surface agitator from engaging the surface to be cleaned.

3. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, an air passagewa in said body for connection with a source of suction, means forming a nozzle mouth connected to said air passageway, a surface agitator, means mounting said agitator in said body independently of and projecting in the same direction as said nozzle mouth for engagement with the surface to be cleaned, and means mounted on said body for movement with respect to said agitator to one position to restrict air flow through said nozzle mouth to said air passageway and movable to another position to prevent engagement of said agitator with the surface to be cleaned.

4. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, a nozzle in said body for cleaning a surface, an air passageway in said body connecting said nozzle to a source of suction, a surface agitator on said body projecting in the same direction as said nozzle for removable engagement with the surface to be cleaned, means mounted on said body independently of said agitator for movement to one position to uncover said agitator for engagement with the surface to be cleaned and movable to another position to cover said agitator for non-engagement with the surface being cleaned without interrupting flow of air through said nozzle, said means being biased to project beyond the mouth of said nozzle and agitator when said body is lifted from the surface being 6 cleaned and movable into said different operative positions by engagement with the surface, and maintained in either of its said positions during reciprocation of the body on the surface being cleaned.

5. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, a nozzle in said body for cleaning a surface, an air passageway in said body connecting said nozzle to a source of suction, a surface agitator mounted on said body projecting in the some direction as said nozzle for removable engagement with the surface being cleaned, means mounted on said body and operatively connected to said agitator and movable independently of said agitator to disengage the latter from the surface being cleaned without interrupting flow of air through said nozzle, said means being biased to project beyond the mouth of said nozzle and agitator when said body is lifted from the surface being cleaned and movable into different operative positions with respect to said independently movable agitator by engagement with the surface being cleaned to control said removable engagement of said agitator with respect to the surface being cleaned, and maintained in either of its positions during reciprocation of the body on the surface being cleaned.

6. A surface cleaning tool as described in claim 3 wherein said last mentioned means include lip forming means positioned to restrict said air flow through said nozzle mouth upon movement of said means to said on position.

7. A surface cleaning tool as described in claim 5 wherein said means include lip forming means for said nozzle when positioned to disengage said agitator from the surface being cleaned.

DALE C. GERBER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,175,809 Quigg Mar. 14, 1916 1,818,917 Wolf Aug. 11, 1931 1,902,561 Kuhnel Mar. 21, 1933 2,000,955 Hudson May 14, 1935 2,203,650 Forsberg June 4, 1940 2,218,166 Gerber Oct. 15, 1940 2,235,674 Forsberg Mar. 18, 1941 2,432,670 Lampe Dec. 16, 1947 2,511,238 Beede June 13, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,806 Norway May 26, 1898 45,819 Netherlands May 15, 1939