US2719600A

US2719600A - Suction cleaner

Info

Publication number: US2719600A
Application number: US387423A
Authority: US
Inventors: George A Brace
Original assignee: Hoover Co
Current assignee: Hoover Co
Priority date: 1953-10-21
Filing date: 1953-10-21
Publication date: 1955-10-04
Anticipated expiration: 1972-10-04

Description

ATTORNEY.

Oct. 4, 1955 G. A. BRACE SUCTION CLEANER Filed Oct. 21, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ll NW INVENTOR George .4. Brace BY WJM G. A. BRACE SUCTION CLEANER Oct. 4, 1955 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 21 1955 INVENTOH.

w m Y a. m A m w- Z W Y B 3 m F G. A. BRACE SUCTION CLEANER Oct. 4, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 21 1953 INVENTOR. George A. Brace BY W 52 ATTORNEY.

United States Patent Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October2 1, 1953, Serial No. 387,423

19 Claims. (Cl. 183- 51) The present invention relates to Suction cleaners and more particularly toa novel tank type cleaner construction having an improved and simplified throw-away paper filter and a new mode of mounting the same Within the cleaner.

One of the prime objectives of this invention is to simplify and improve the means for mounting, and' coupling an inexpensive throw-away paper filter .bag in a suction cleaner in a manner avoiding the use of complex and ineffective coupling devices heretofore proposed. The present coupling is'designed' for use with filters having inlets no larger than required to accommodate the incoming air stream thereby' greatly minimizing the possibility of dirt escaping from the filter during its removal. It is also the purpose of the invention .to provide an exceedingly simple resilient self-expanding. filter coupling which grips the edge of the filter inlet automatically and in an airtight manner as itis allowed to expand after insertion into the filter opening. By the same token, my novel coupling is readily detachable merely by collapsing its side wall inwardly to greatly reduce its cross sectional area thereby facilitating withdrawal from the filter opening. This coupling. may be mounted directly on or separately from the filter chamber access cover. In either arrangement the same unitary coupling is employed to make an airtight joint with the filter as well as with the usual suction hose.

Another feature of the invention involves the provision of a collapsing paper filter which is completely closed except for a small inlet opening and, in consequence, is designed for a single filling of dirt after which iit is thrown away and replaced by a new bag.

Numerous other features and objectives will become apparent from the following detailed specification of illustrative embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a canister type suction cleaner incorporating the invention according to a preferred embodiment thereof and showing. the newly installed filter bag in place therein;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view through the filter chamber end cap and showing the latter, as Well as the filter coupling, pivoted outwardly away from the filter chamber;

Figure 3 is taken along the plane .33 on Figure .1

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing manually operable means for collapsing the filter coupling;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view through .the filter chamber of another embodiment showing a filter bag clamped in position therein and the end cap approaching closed position; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of .still another embodiment showing the filter bag in expanded condition and the suction hose coupled in place on the cleaner.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, it Will be seen that the invention is shown incorporated in a tank cleaner having an elongated cylindrical casing It) open at its 2,719,600 Patented Oct. 4, 1955 opposite ends and supported on a pair of runners 11 in accordance with conventional practice. The rear end of the casing is closed by an end cap 12' secured thereto as by screws 13 and having a combined air discharge opening and blower hose coupling facility 14. A multiple stage unitary motor-fan unit generally designated 15' is supported horizontally within the rear end of thecasin'g. Preferably, this unit is cradled ina pair of resilient gaskets 16 and 17 supported respectively in a spider diaphragm plate 18 and an annular ring 19. The. former is provided with a number of air outlet openings 20 through which the air flows on the way to the discharge opening 14. Annulus 19 has a large diameter central opening '21. which is normally covered by a porous final filter '22. The motor-fan unit includes a horizontal axis electric motor 23 directly coupled to a multiple stage suction fan 24 having an air inlet 25 at its forward end. The casing of fan 24 may be provided with peripheral air outlets, not shown, or the air may discharge axially through the motor to cool the same as it flows toward the discharge opening. The driving motor is controlled by a push-push snap switch 26 mounted on the upper side of the casing wall and controlled by a switch button 27 located at one end of the carrying handle 28.

The entire forward end of the cleaner casing forms .a. filter chamber 29' normally closed by an. end cap 30 pivotally connected to the lower edge of the opening as by hinge 31. The cover is provided witha female hose socket 32 to which the usual. suction hose. may be detachably connected in a well known manner.

As best shown in Figure 3, the cleaner casingv is of rounded rectangular shape in cross section. Secured to the inner side wall adjacent the inlet end ofv the casingis a flanged ring 33 against which a resilient sealing gasket 34 carried by the end cap seats when the end .cap is closed. A toggle clamp 35 carried by the: top of the casing engages with a detent 36 on the rim. of the end cap to lock.- the latter in closed position.

fMy novel filter clamp or coupling comprises a soft rubber frusto-conical ring, generally designated 37 having a flange 38' projecting from its underside. The coupling member is cradled in a semi-circular notch .39 formed in the upper edge of a plate 40 hinged at 41 to the lower inlet edge of the filter chamber. As clearly shown 'by Figures 2v and 3, plate 40 covers the lower half of the filter chamber inlet and itsv opposite side edges seat against depressed channels 42. formed in the inturned rim of ring 33. The filter coupling 37 is secured in place incut-out 39 by means of rivets. or the like 43 passing through flange 38.

The smaller innermost end of the coupling :has a low radially projecting annular ring or flange 44 adapted to seat against the inner .of the filter bag inlet. Projecting radially from the sides of the coupling are a-series of ribs or fins 45, the innermost edges 46 of which slope downwardly to a point spaced slightly rearward of .a-nn-ular flange 44. Thus, the base of the inner ends of finscooperate with the adjacent Wall of flange 44 to form a narrow groove or seat 47 for the edge of the filter inlet. Normally, of course, the coupling 37 occupies the-circular expanded position represented by the full lines. in Figure 3. However, it is readily collapsible :so asv to occupy a smaller cross section merely by applying radial pressure downwardly from the top wall thereof--as represented by the dotted line in Figure 3.. When so collapsed, it will be readily apparent that the inner end can be :easily inserted through the inlet opening of a filter bag.

One type of .a simple throw-away paper filter bag is shown in Figures 1 to 3. Thus, the filter bag generally designated 48 comprises a tubular main body provided with inwardly folding pleats 49 on its opposite side for convenient handling and compact packaging. The innermost end of the main body is overturned and sealed closed as indicated at 50. The opposite end is formed like a conventional flat bottom grocery sack and is provided with an inlet opening 51 in the center thereof. If desired this opening may be reinforced as by a paper ring 52 glued to the bottom of the bag in registry with opening 51. Usually, however, such a reinforcing ring is not necessary since the bottom is formed by several layers of overlapping paper glued together to form an airtight closure for the bag. Opening 51 is preferably slightly smaller in diameter than the base of groove 47 in the resilient coupling 37. Accordingly, the expansion of this ring to its normal full diameter forces the base of groove 47 tightly against the inlet rim of the filter bag thereby providing an airtight seal. Flange 44 is then seated tightly against the inner rim of the filter opening and the cammed lower edges 46 of ribs 45.

Operation Let it be assumed that the operator wishes to install a new filter bag in the cleaner. She first releases toggle 3S and opens the end cap downwardly against the floor. The filter bags, as manufactured, are folded flat with the bottom of the bag folded downwardly against the flattened body of the bag. The operator grasps the upper rim edge of the bottom and lifts or rotates it until the plane of the bottom lies normal to the flat main body of the bag. Thereafter, the operator inserts the filter downwardly into the filter chamber after first swinging plate 40 carrying the collapsible coupling outwardly for greater convenience in dropping the filter into the cleaner. The operator then places her index finger along the top side of the coupling and depresses it downwardly to the collapsed position shown by dotted lines in Figure 3. While it is held in this position, she guides the inner end of the collapsed coupling into inlet opening 51 of the filter bag. For greater convenience in guiding the coupling into the filter opening, the operator preferably places the lower edge of the filter bottom in the Y-shaped notch provided by bracket 53. As soon as groove 47 of the coupling lies in the plane of the filter inlet opening, the operator releases the pressure on the coupling allowing it to expand under its own resiliency and in so doing keeps the coupling pressed inwardly slightly so that the outer rim of the filter opening is guided into groove 47 by the cammed edges 46 of fins 45.

The end cap may now be swung to closed position and latched there by toggle 35. As the end cap closes, sealing gasket 34- bears against the opposite side edges of plate 40 and forces it into seating engagement in depressions 42 of ring 33. The frusto-conical walls 32 of the hose coupling also seat firmly against the inner walls of coupling 37 to form an airtight seal between the hose coupling and the filter coupling when the end cap is in closed position.

As soon as the motor-fan unit is energized the fan will draw air inwardly through coupling 32 and expand the filter bag to its fully inflated position. The usual cleaning hose and cleaning tools are coupled to socket 32 and the cleaner can then be used in a conventional manner to clean the floor, furniture, draperies and the like.

The removal of the dirt filled filter bag is accomplished in a very simple manner. Toggle 35 is first opened and the cover is swung to open position thereby releasing plate 40 so that it may be swung outwardly. The operator then places her index finger on the top of coupling 37 and depresses it as she grasps the top edge of the filter bottom with the other hand and withdraws it from the collapsed end of the coupling. A new filter is then reinstalled in the cleaner in the same manner described above and the end cap is latched in closed position.

If preferred, coupling 37 may be provided with a manual operator for collapsing it of the type illustrated in Figure 4. The collapsible coupling 37 is substantially identical with that just described and is carried in a notch 39 of pivoting plate 40'. The manual collapsing means for the coupling comprises a loop of wire 55 encircling the coupling and having an operating handle slidably mounted on the outer wall of plane 40" by a clip 56. The lower end 57 is bent upwardly and looped to form a finger piece by which loop 55 may be depressed downwardly toward the pivoted edge of the plate. The upper edge of loop 55 seats in notches 58 formed in ribs From the foregoing, the operation of the manual operator will be quite apparent. Normally, of course, the resiliency of coupling 37' will hold loop in the position illustrated. To collapse the coupling, the operator merely places her thumb or finger on finger piece 57 and pushes the same downwardly thereby collapsing the coupling. As soon as she releases her pressure on the finger piece, the resiliency of the coupling will cause it to expand to its normal diameter and return loop 55 and its attached finger piece to its normal position.

Second embodiment The same or similar parts of another embodiment illustrated in Figure 5 are designated by the same reference characters used in describing Figure 1 except that they are distinguished by a single or a double prime. The resilient self-expanding rubber coupling 37" differs in being generally cylindrical and in having its inner or discharge end cut off on the bias as clearly illustrated for greater convenience in connecting the coupling to an air inlet opening 51' formed in the flat side wall of the nonreusable paper filter bag 60. This filter bag is made in the same general manner as described in connection with the first embodiment except that the inlet opening is located in one of the flat side walls adjacent the end thereof opposite the flat bottom 61 of the filter. Inlet opening 51' may be and preferably is reinforced with a relatively stiff plate 52' glued to the side wall of the bag and having a tab 62 projecting beyond the outermost end of the filter and forming a finger piece as a convenience to the operator in assembling and disassembling the filter on coupling 37".

As described previously, the collapsible coupling 37 is seated or cradled in a semi-circular notch formed in the top edge of a plate 40" hinged to the cleaner casing at 41. Accordingly, it will be understood that the upper half of the coupling is freely accessible to the operators fingers so that it can be collapsed downwardly against the lower wall of the coupling when assembling or disassembling the filter bag. The outer end of coupling 37" is flared outwardly at 63 and forms a seat against which the inwardly flared ring 64 of the hose coupling 32' seats in an airtight manner when end cap 30' is locked in closed position.

It will be appreciated that since coupling 37 is cylindrical in cross section and is cut off on a bias, that the filter seating groove 47" is elliptical. Accordingly, filter inlet opening 51 must be of a corresponding elliptical shape but is preferably slightly smaller in area for obvious reasons. In consequence, the expansion of the coupling to its normal shape and size results in the slight deformation of the edges of the filter inlet thereby assuring an airtight seal with the filter bag. The bias cut also provides a pilot of considerable assistance in guiding the coupling into the filter inlet.

The elliptically shaped opening in the filter bag also r gives assurance that the filter will always be assembled in the proper orientation within the filter chamber. This is of particular importance where the bag has an irregu lar cross section such as the trapezoidal shape clearly illustrated in Figure 3. From this figure it will be observed that the top edge of the filter bag is narrower than the bottom edge to correspond with the similar dimensions of the adjacent sides of the cleaner casing. Obviously, it would be undesirable to mount such a filter bag with the wider edge uppermost. Of course, where the inlet opening is in the flat bottom of the filter, as it is in the first described emhodimentsi is quite appsen to the operator that zthe bag should be so oriented as to correspond to the shape of the casing before it is inserted into the filterchamher. However, relationship ,-is not so readily apparent when the inlet is located in the side wall of the bagas it is -.in :the Figure embodiment.

After the filter has been assembled to the inner end of the resilient coupling, theendcap isswung ;to clos ed position so that in-turned flange 64 seats tightly against the out-turned flange 63 on the outer end ,of the coupling. At the same time, gasket 34 seats against ring 33' to form a seal at this point. Toggle clamp 35 is then closed against detent 36 to lock the cover closed. The manner of removing the filter when filled with dirt will be selfapparent from the foregoing and therefore need not be further described.

Third embodiment Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure -6 wherein vthe sarne or similarparts are .designated by the same nun; a1 as in the other views but are distinguished by double npigiple primes. 'llhis embodiment differs from the other arrangements int-hat the colaps bbe e uplin isee r d :hv epl e s e e y t end ear 3!)" :a h s ews 6.6 and in feet, fo m -the inner wa l e sheend sea Th up is held firmly in place on wall 65 by means of annular ribs 67 p oj a y new the body of the oupli th u h th eup ins embe n t shown a p v with fins 45, it will be obvious that these rn ay be present to assist in guiding the filter inlet into position inthe seating a se li 3 993 T e n ne sab p p filter bag 48' is shown in an inflated condition in Figure 6 an the filter i e .5 .0ea. ed e nt e v vo t a bo tom of h has i e nier e by a stif p pe cellar ed o st t hed in p cei i e q e apparent the-t hi ot .pe s h the pe a t e len the c up in with he f e a i t other embodiments. Instead, an L-shaped manually .ope e collapsi means 1 i eip. ee bl .me e on the e can h sh rte e -eX nd throu h pe ng i fl n es 7 alen h opside Q th eo pl n he l nge e ex e d th ou h an open ng i -snppe ing b cke 2 nd th u h an e ensuin in a d p se wal port o 73 of h end eeph eemp e n p g 74 su ound t e l nger e *O e en bears ains a k t 72 wh l he ethe end bears a i a e lar 75 anchored to rod 70. A suitable thumb piece 76 is mounted on the end of the rod in a convenient-position to be contacted by the operatorsthurnb (prfinger. Norv, f u e, t e sp i e d e m nual op ator in the position shown whieh corresponds to the normal expanded position of coupling 37".

Th su tion h se earrie a ho lo mal o p i tube 78 which extends thrpllgb and seats in the coupling socket 32" carried by the end cap. The nnermost end of this tube extends into the interior of eouplin-g 37" in an airtight fit which is facilitated by the tapered inner end of the tube. Tube 78 is locked in place by a spring detent 79 which engages a shoulder carried by the hose socket. A button 80 serves to depress latch 79 to unlock the hose when it is desired to remove it. Note that the outermost end f up term nates elese o u sp c f m the inner end .of coupling socket '3 Accordingly, the flexible pl ng s f ee to e ee lepsed hou int r enee from the hose soeket.

To r move th filte has, the ope a or releases t toggle latch 35" and swings the cover partially toward open position after first detaching hose 77 from the end cap. She then depresses the manual operator by pressing downwardly .on thumb piece 76 causing shorter leg 71'to collapse the top wall of the couplingdownwardly toward the lower wall thereby releasing the filter so that it can be withdrawn from the inner end of the coupling. After the dirt filled bag is withdrawn from the filter chamber,

a new .one assembled grasping the upper edge of the bottom and ins r ing he inlet .51" over the end {of the eoupling as it is .held col1apsed by depressing the manual operator button '76. As soon as the inlet is in the plane .of seating groove 47", the thumb .piece is released allowing the coupling to expand against the edge of 'the'filter opening. The .end cap is then closed and locked, and the flexible hose is reconnected to socket 52".

While 1 have shown and described but three embodiment of my i ent on, i is .to e unders oo -that thes em odimen are t b ta en as illus rative onlvend no in .a limiting e I do not wish-t0 be limi ed to he Particular structure shown and described but to include all equivalent variations except as limited .by the scope of the =claims.

I claim:

n eem a i n with a tank type uction c eaner having :a :fi ter chamber pro ide with a la gearea inle opening fo th nsertion nd removal of filte hag therethro h, a ww y paper filter hag hav ng a relatively s al are n e pe ing throug a wall th re f, .a resilient self-expanding tubular coupling carried' by said ne having its axis ext nding in a dire tion crosswis of ;a wall of said filter chamber whereby means providing an air flow ipas sage can be connected to the outer end thereof, means adjacent the opposite inner end of said coupling defining a narrow filter seating groove .of a size and shape to seat and grip the rim edge of .said :filter in et opening in an air tight manner, the wall of said resilient coupling being collapsible inwardly toward the axis of said .coupling .to reduce the cross sectional area thereof so that the filter inlet of said filter can be inserted over the end of the collapsed coupling until the plane of .said inlet lies in the plane of said coupling seating groove whereby said coupling when allowed to expand under its own resiliency returns to its normal shape with .the rim of said filter inlet seated in said groove and forming an airtight seal therewith.

2. A suction cleaner having a casing forming a filter bag housing, means providing an air inletpassage extend- .ing through the wall of said housing, means for detachabl-y connecting a throw-away paper filter bag .to said air inlet passage, means including a resilient tubular selfexpanding coupling having an inner discharge end ter- Initiating within said filter chamber, .means supporting said coupling so that at least .one side thereof is free for depression inwardly toward the axis thereof to reduce its cross sectional area so that its said discharge end can be readilyinsert'ed into an inlet opening through a wall of said filter bag, means providing a narrow outwardly opening filter sea-ting groove on the outer wall and adjacent the discharge end of said coupling, the bottom of said groove having substantially the same circumferential length and shape as that or" said filter inlet opening whereby said coupling can be collapsed sufiiciently for the discharge end thereof to be inserted readily into said filter inlet and then allowed to expand with the rim edge of the filter seated in said groove and forming an airtight seal therewith.

3. A suction cleaner as defined in claim 2 wherein said filter chamber housing has a large area opening through the wall thereof, a closure member for said opening, said air inlet passage means extending through said closure member, and said self-expanding filter coupling being located on the inner side of said closure member.

4. Asuction cleaner as defined in claim 3 wherein said self-expanding filter coupling includes means for mounting the same directly on said closure member.

5. A suction cleaner as defined in claim 3 including means movably supported by the filter chamber housing for supporting said self-expanding filter coupling with 6. A suction cleaner comprising a housing forming a filterchamber having a large area opening in the wall thereof normally covered by a closure member, said closure member having a passage therethrough forming a combined air inlet passage, and suction hose socket, a filter coupling support member movably supported on said casing inwardly of and adjacent said large area opening, a self-expanding resilient tubular filter coupling secured to said support member with its outer inlet end adapted to form an airtight joint with the end of said hose socket, the outer peripheral edge of the discharge end of said coupling having means thereon forming a narrow seating groove adapted to receive and form an airtight seal with the rim edges of the inlet opening through a side wall of an air pervious paper filter bag, and said filter coupling being readily collapsible lengthwise thereof to facilitate the assembly of said coupling into and disassembly from the inlet opening of a filter bag and being adapted to return to its norinal expanded condition automatically as soon as the collapsing pressure applied thereto is removed.

7. A suction cleaner as defined in claim 6 wherein the discharge end of said self-expanding filter coupling is cut ofi on a plane at an angle to the axis of said coupling and wherein said filter seating groove lies in a plane generally parallel to the inclined discharge end thereof.

8. In combination with a filter bag housing comprising a chamber having a large area opening in one wall thereof to receive a filter bag, a closure member for said opening hinged to said housing near one edge of said opening, plate means hingedly connected to said casing inwardly of said closure member and arranged to swing between a closed position parallel to said opening and an open position outwardly away from said opening, a suction hose socket extending through and supported by said closure member, a resilient tubular self-expanding filter coupling supported intermediate the ends thereof along one edge of said plate means, and so positioned that the outer end thereof is in alignment with the inner end of said hose socket when said closure member is closed, a non-reusable paper filter bag Within said filter chamber having a relatively small area inlet opening through the wall thereof, flange means projecting from the outer wall of said filter coupling adjacent the inner end thereof arranged to fit snugly against the inner and outer rim edges of said filter inlet opening to hold the same assembled to said filter coupling and the side walls of said filter coupling being collapsible inwardly toward the axis thereof to disengage the same from the filter bag so that the latter may be disconnected and removed from said coupling.

9. The combination defined in claim 8 wherein said I filter bag has a tubular main body having pleats extending along the opposite sides thereof and a fiat end lying gen erally normal to the side walls of said main body, said inlet opening being located in a non-pleated Wall portion of said filter and at one end of said tubular body portion.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 wherein said inlet opening is formed in said flat end wall lying generally normal to the side walls of the tubular main body thereof.

11. A tank type suction cleaner comprising a tubular housing, means dividing said housing into a power driven air spction device compartment and a filter chamber, a large area opening in the wall of said filter chamber, a closure member normally closing said opening, said closure member having a suction hose socket seating therein opening into said filter chamber, means supporting a tubular filter coupling having an inlet adapted to lie in alignment with said hose socket when said closure member is in closed position and a discharge end projecting into said filter chamber, said filter coupling being formed of fiexible resilient material normally expanded to the full diameter thereof but being collapsible inwardly lengthwise thereof to facilitate the assembly of the discharge end through an opening in the wall of a paper filter bag, flange means on the outer wall of said discharge end [iii adapted to closely embrace the inner and outer rims of a filter inlet opening to hold a filter assembly to said coupling and being disengageable therefrom by collapsing one side wall of said coupling toward the opposite wall thereof.

12. A tank type suction cleaner as defined in claim 11 including a paper filter bag therein made in the form of a grocery sack of the type having a flat bottom and inwardly extending pleats along the opposite sides thereof whereby the same can be folded flat until installed in the cleaner, said filter having an inlet opening in a fiat wall thereof, relatively stiff means secured to the outer rim of said inlet opening having an extension from one side thereof forming a finger piece by means of which said inlet opening may be guided into position over the discharge end of said filter coupling as the same is held collapsed.

13. A tank type suction cleaner as defined in claim 11 including manually operable means operatively associated with said filter coupling and operable when depressed to collapse one wall of said coupling toward the opposite wall thereof to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of a filter bag to and from said coupling.

14. A suction cleaner filter bag housing closed except for a large area inlet'opening, a closure member normally seated across and closing said opening, means forming a suction hose socket supported by said closure and having an inner end opening into said filter chamber, means supporting an open ended tubular self-expanding filter coupling in alignment with the inner end of said hose socket, the outlet end of said coupling having a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the outer wall thereof and cooperating with one another to form a narrow seating groove of a width to snugly embrace the inner and outer rim of an inlet opening through a Wall of a paper filter bag and to hold the same in place on the inner end of said coupling, one wall of said coupling being free to move radially inward toward the opposite wall of the coupling when pressure is applied thereto from the exterior of said coupling.

15. A suction cleaner filter chamber as defined in claim 14 including manually operable means movably carried by said closure member for collapsing said coupling, said means having one portion thereof normally lying closely adjacent the exterior of the said freely movable wall of said coupling and another portion accessible from the exterior of said closure member for operating the same, said manually operable means being operable when depressed to collapse said coupling.

16. A suction cleaner filter chamber for a dirt filter bag, one portion of said chamber having spaced apart inner and outer walls, provided with aligned air inlet openings, an open ended self-expanding tubular filter coupling extending through the opening in said inner wall and supported thereon intermediate the ends thereof, said coupling being formed of flexible resilient material and at least one wall thereof being free to move inwardly toward the opposite wall thereof, means on the exterior of the inner end of said coupling to embrace the inner and outer rims of a filter inlet opening through the wall of a paper filter when telescoped over the inner end of said coupling, the interior Wall of the opposite inlet end of said coupling being adapted to receive and seat the end of a suction hose when the latter is-telescoped thereinto through the opening in the outer of said filter chamber walls.

17. A suction cleaner filter chamber as defined in claim 16 including manually operable means for collapsing said filter coupling to facilitate the assembly of a filter bag to the inner end thereof, said manually operable means being movably supported on said filter chamber with one portion thereof adjacent the exterior of said freely movable wall of said coupling and the other end thereof extending to a point conveniently accessible to the operator.

18. A suction cleaner filter chamber having a large area opening for the insertion and removal of a filter bag, a selfexpanding tubular filter coupling made of flexible resilient material, means supporting said coupling intermediate the ends thereof, said means extending inwardly toward the axis of said filter chamber opening and hingedly supported from a point adjacent the rim of said opening whereby said coupling may be swung toward and away from the plane of said opening for convenience in inserting or removing a filter bag from said filter chamber, the inner end of said coupling having means for releasably holding a filter bag in place thereon, a closure member for said filter chamber opening having a suction hose socket extending therethrough and positioned to interfit telescopically with the outer end of said filter coupling when said closure member is in closed position.

19. A suction cleaner filter chamber as defined in claim 18 wherein said suction hose socket and the adjacent end of said filter coupling have complementary tapered walls and wherein said hose socket projects into the inlet end of said coupling and prevents the walls of the coupling from collapsing inwardly when said closure member is in closed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,566,275 White Aug. 28, 1951