US2734215A

US2734215A - wilson

Info

Publication number: US2734215A
Authority: US
Priority date: 1950-03-21
Publication date: 1956-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 1973-02-14
Also published as: GB683107A

Description

Feb. 14. 1956 H. w. WILSON 2,734,215

SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE ASSEMBLY Filed March 21. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Maribel! W Wilson ATTORNEY.

Feb. 14, 1956 H. w. WILSON SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE ASSEMBLY Filed March 21, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. Herberl W Wilson 2 m Q mm United States Patent SUCTION CLEANER NOZZLE ASSEMBLY Herbert W. Wilson, Fort Worth, Tex., assignor to The lifoglrltiar Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation 0 Application March 21, 1950, Serial No. 151,019

9 Claims. (Cl. -325) The present invention relates to suction cleaning devices and particularly to surface cleaning tools adapted to be utilized with relatively stationary suction creating and filtering structures connected to the tool through an elongated air conducting and manipulating hose or wand.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a suction cleaning dusting tool having a plurality of individual parts all of which are maintained in locked assembled relation by a simple readily accessible securing device. v It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suction cleaning tool comprising a nozzle body structure encased in an ornamental and sculf and impact resisting non-metallic boot having a selectively usable surface cleaning brush and a detachable swivelled elbow to be connected to the manipulating and air conducting wand all of which are secured in position by a readily detachable surface contacting nozzle mouth forming plate. It is a further object of the invention to provide a selectively usable brush for a suction cleaning nozzle which has a novel mounting and securing means for retaining the brush in inoperative position and in which removal of the brush is prevented by the surface contacting nozzle plate.

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

Figure l is a side elevational view partly in section of a suction cleaning tool embodying my invention and with the surface cleaning brush in retracted position;

I Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to Figure 1 showing the surface cleaning brush in advanced or active position;

. Figure 3 is a rear elevational view of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 with parts in sections; and

Figure -4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

. The nozzle comprises a cast body portion 1 having a rearwardly projecting tubular portion 2 adapted to mount aswivel connector as will appear hereinafter and a downwardly projecting narrow elongated nozzle forming portion 3 communicating with the swivel portion 2. An elbow connector 4, adapted to be connected to a manipulating Wand or. flexible hose 4a which in turn is connected to a suitable source of suction, is swivelled in the tubular section 2 of the nozzle 1 upon the bearing members 5 and 6 suitably secured within the hollow tubular member 2. The portion of the elbow 4 which is telescoped within the portion 2 of the nozzle casting is provided with a peripheral groove in which is seated a ring of dust sealing material 7 such as felt or the like. The telescoped portion of the elbow 4 is provided with a locking groove 8 in which a U -shaped bail 9 seats as more clearly shown in Figure 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the

bottom portion of the swivel section 2 of the nozzle 1' is squared off and is provided with a pair of spaced holes 10 which receive thelocking legs of the bail 9 thus placing the bight of the bail exteriorly of the hollow tubular section 2 of the nozzle 1 where it rests in a suitable groove 11, see Figure 2, provided therefor.

The body portion 1 of the nozzle is also provided with a downwardly opening brush receiving chamber 13 defined by the rear wall of the nozzle 3 and a wall 14 extending in parallel spaced relation to the rear wall of the nozzle 3. The walls forming the nozzle 3 terminate in substantially horizontal outwardly projecting plate-like portions 16 at the front portion of the nozzle which plate-like portions preferably extend around the opposite lateral sides of the nozzle structure to the plane of the rear wall 14 of the brush chamber 13. p

A small seating flange 17 projects downwardly from the plate 16 ,and inwardly of the outer edge thereof to form a locking seat for a covering boot 20 preferably constructed of shock absorbing and non-marring material such as a polymerized vinyl plastic. As shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the boot 20 covers the entire nozzle body 1 except for the bottom thereof. Along the base of the rear wall 14 the lower end of the boot 20 may optionally be anchored by sheet metal strips 22 which are secured in place by light rivets 23 passing through the plastic boot and the rear wall 14. The boot 20 has a stepped flange 25 underlying an outer portion of the plate 16 and abutting the downwardly projecting stop 17. This portion of the boot is clamped to the plate 16,by a vertically extending peripheral flange 26 provided on the front and side edges of a, surface engaging nozzle plate 27. The nozzle plate 27 is provided with an opening 30 defined by inwardly turned flanges 31 lying against the inside faces of the front and rear walls of the air passageway in the nozzle 3. At the ends of the nozzle, the plate 27 extends downwardly slightly below the plane of the nozzle lip defining portion 32 thereof to form end skids 33 which extend backwardly to the plane of the wall 14 of the brush chamber 13 and incline slightly at the front and rear ends as shown most clearly in Figure 2. The opposite ends of the opening 30 in the nozzle plate 27 are closed by inclined air passagewaydefining and securing walls 34 which are inclined inwardly and upwardly from the plane of the end skids as shown most clearly in Figure 3. Each wall 34-abutsa downwardly extending securing pillar 35 preferably intergral with the body 1 within the nozzle 3 and is secured thereto by a stud bolt 36. It is apparent from the foregoing that the bolts 36 anchor the floor contacting nozzle plate and the plastic boot which covers substantially the entire outer surfaces of the nozzle construction. The pillar 35 cuts off the nozzle passageway 3 an appreciable distance from the end thereof, however, the walls 34 of the nozzle plate 27 extend the effective cleaning air inlet area close to the outer edge oflv the nozzle and well beyond the securing pillars 35. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the nozzle plate comprises the entire floor contacting portion of the nozzle structure and that this plate underliesthe lower end of all the walls of the nozzle 3. The lower end of the edge of the wall 14 is not covered by the nozzle plate; however, this wall terminates well above the plane of the nozzle plate hence it does not contact the surface being cleaned. The nozzle plate is preferably constructed of polished steel so that it will provide a smooth non-marring carpet engaging surface. Sealing compound 40 is placed in the nozzle plate at the point where it contacts the lower edges of the walls of the nozzle 3 to form an air seal at that point to prevent entry of air into the nozzle except under the nozzle plate and through the nozzle lips thereof.

The nozzle plate includes a relatively large flange 41 which extends upwardly into the chamber 13 in spaced parallel relationship to the rear face of the rear wall of the nozzle structure. A plurality of spaced guide flanges 42, preferably formed integrally with the rear wall of the nozzle structure, project into the chamber 13 through suitable slots in the upper portion of the large flange 41. A brush structure comprising a back 39, preferably of cast or extruded metal carrying suitable bristles 43 is mounted in the chamber 13 for slidable movement between the inner face of the wall 14 and the guide flanges 42 on the rear wall of the nozzle 3. The wall 14 is provided with a central slot 45 within which. rides a projecting guide lug 46 on the brush back 39. The central portion of the forward face of the brush back 39' is provided with a forwardly projecting lug 47 which extends into a slot 48 in the central portion of the flange 41'. The slot 48 terminates well above the lower or floor contacting surface portion of the floor plate 27 in an inwardly bent stop tang 49 adapted to be engaged by the lug 47 to limit movement of the brush structure in the floor engaging direction and to prevent discharge of the same from the chamber 13 unless the floor plate structure is removed.

A pair of spring guide pins 51 are cast integrally with the nozzle structure and extend into the chamber 13 from the upper wall thereof. The pins 51 are aligned with spring seating sectional cups 52 preferably formed integrally with the brush back 39 and extending upwardly therefrom. Compression springs 53 seat in the cups 52 and surround the pins 51 and urge the brush structure outwardly of the chamber 13 in floor engaging direction to the extent allowed by engagement of the brush with a surface being cleaned to the limit allowed by the lug 4'7 and tang 49.

A latching structure is provided for retaining the brush upwardly in the chamber 13 in non-floor engaging position as shown most clearly in Figure l. The brush latching structure comprises a flat leaf latch spring 55 secured as by a rivet 54 to the rear wall of the nozzle structure 3 between that wall and the flange 41 of the nozzle plate 27. The spring 55 extends rearwardly so as to overlie the path of the brush back 39 and is provided with an outwardly struck latching tang 56 adapted to engage under the lug 47 to retain the brush in non-active position as shown in Figure 1. An actuating plate 58 is riveted, as shown at 59, to the upper end of the spring 55 and projects outwardly through the slot 45 and a slot 60 in the boot where it terminates in a downwardly extending actuating plate 62 positioned to be actuated by the toe of the operator to press the tang 56 towards the rear wall of the nozzle and thus release the brush when it is desired to use the same.

In the operation of the device the brush may be retained in the retracted position illustrated in Figure l in which event the nozzle is used as a straight suction cleaning device. Cleaning air flows through the pile of the carpet undergoing cleaning under the nozzle lips 32 and into the nozzle 3 from whence it is conducted through elbow 4 and the manipulating Wand to the source of suction. When it is desired to pick up embedded dirt and litter, the plate 62 is subjected to a slight pressure with the toe which releases the brush structure to the action of the springs 53 which project the brush to the surface engaging position illustrated in Figure 2. The lug 46 extending into the slot 45 provides a convenient finger rest by which the brush may be forced to the retracted, latched condition against the bias of the springs 53. The lug 46 is readily accessible when the nozzle is turned to upside down position.

As shown most clearly in Figure 1, the bristles 43 are cut on the bias so as to lie substantially parallel to the plane of the surface undergoing cleaning to insure maximum bristle engagement therewith. On the forward stroke of the brush the same tends to dig into the nap of the carpet or other material undergoing cleaning and to remove embedded litter therefrom. On the rearward stroke of the cleaning tool, as illustrated in Figure 2, the brush flexes against the flange 41 of the polished steel floor plate 27 and is cleaned of entrained litter by air passing therethrough to the nozzle lips. It is particularly to be noted in this connection that the brush bristles are bent against a rounded and highly polished hard steel surface so that they are not subjected to a cutting action by engaging part of the cleaning structure.

The brush bristles 43 slide against the polished steel flange 41 on the plate 27 as they are moved into and out of the brush chamber 13. The smooth flange 41 prevents the bristles from catching, abrading or being cut by contact with rough or sharp metallic surfaces in the nozzle structure.

It is apparent from the foregoing that the entire exposed surface of the nozzle structure is covered by the non-marring highly polished plastic boot 20 so that the casting forming the nozzle proper need not undergo any finishing after it is withdrawn from the mold.

The plastic boot 20 forms the lock for the bail 9 which secures the swivel elbow 4 in the nozzle structure. The plastic boot in turn is locked in position by the removable nozzle plate 27 which also locks the brush in the brush channel 13. The two studs 36 which directly secure the nozzle plate 27 also secure the boot 20, the brush 39, the bail 9 and the elbow 4. If the optional locking plate and rivet 22 and 23 are utilized it is necessary also to punch out these rivets before the boot can be removed completely from the nozzle structure to obtain access to the bail 9 and the swivel structure for the elbow 4. Servicing of the swivel locking means or swivel structure is rarely required hence the

plates

22 and 23 do not pose an objectionable service problem and give the completed structure a finished appearance though they may be omitted if desired.

The foregoing construction is particularly simple to disassemble since the removal of the two studs 36 releases the plate 27 which in turn releases the brush structure and the covering boot 20. To assemble the structure all portions thereof may be properly positioned by hand after which the studs 36 are seated which secures all parts in final assembled relationship.

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 suction air surface cleaning tool comprising a hollow body member having a surface cleaning air inlet nozzle portion and a tubular portion communicating with said nozzle portion, a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of suction including a seating section swivelled in said tubular portion of said hollow body member, said seating section having a peripheral shoulder facing away from the end of said section which is received in said tubular portion of said nozzle member, a securing element extending through said tubular portion of said nozzle member and engaging said shoulder to retain said tubular member and nozzle member in assembled relation, a boot of flexible material encasing the said body member above said air inlet nozzle portion thereof and retaining said securing member against removal, a surface contacting base plate detachably secured to said body portion and having a nozzle opening registering with the nozzle portion of said body member and securing portions on said base plate anchoring said boot to said body member.

2. A suction air surface cleaning tool comprising a body member having an elongated hollow nozzle member adapted to be connected to a source of suction and an open bottomed brush chamber extending parallel to said nozzle member, a brush slidably mounted in said chamber, spring means biasing said brush to project through the open bottom of said chamber, a surface engaging plate secured to said hollow nozzle member having a cleaning air inlet nozzle opening registering with the interior of said hollow nozzle member, said surface engaging plate having a portion projecting into said brush chamber, means on said brush movable into engagement with said portion of said plate to limit projection of said brush by said spring means and to secure said brush against removal from said chamber, a spring latch member in said chamber adapted to retain said brush in. retracted non-operativie position against the bias of said spring means, and means for releasing said latch having an operating plate extending through the rear wall of said chamber in position to be actuated by the operators foot to release said latch.

3. A suction air surface cleaning tool comprising a hollow body member having a surface cleaning air inlet nozzle portion and a tubular portion communicating with said nozzle portion, a tubular member adapted to be connected to a source of suction including a seating section swivelled in said tubular portion of said hollow body member, said seating section having a peripheral shoulder facing away from the end of said section which is received in said tubular portion of said nozzle member, a securing element extending through said tubular portion of said nozzle member and engaging said shoulder to retain said tubular member and nozzle member in assembled relation, a boot of flexible material encasing the said body member above said air inlet nozzle portion thereof and retaining said securing member against removal, a surface contacting base plate having a nozzle opening registering with the nozzle portion of said body member, said base plate having securing portions anchoring said boot to said body member, and means for detachably securing said base plate to said body member.

4. A suction air surface cleaning tool comprising a body member having an elongated hollow nozzle portion, an open bottom brush chamber extending parallel to said nozzle portion and a tubular exhaust member communieating with said hollow nozzle portion and extending rearwardly thereof; a tubular connecting member adapted to be connected to a source of suction swivelled in said exhaust member, said connecting member being formed with a peripheral shoulder inwardly of the outer end of said exhaust member and facing outwardly of said exhaust member, an anchoring member extending through said exhaust member and engaging said shoulder to secure said connecting member against displacement, a shell of plastic material encasing said body member except the bottom thereof and overlying said anchoring member to secure it against displacement, a brush slidably mounted in said chamber, spring means biasing said brush outwardly of said chamber to surface engaging position, a surface contacting plate secured to the bottom of said body member having an air inlet nozzle opening to the interior of said hollow nozzle portion, means on said plate for clamping portions of the lower edges of said plastic shell to said body member, and means on said plate extending into said brush chamber in position to be engaged by said brush to limit the projection thereof under the bias of said spring means.

5. A suction air surface cleaning tool comprising a body member having an elongated hollow nozzle member adapted to be connected to a source of suction and an open bottomed brush chamber extending parallel to said nozzle member, a brush slidably mounted in said chamber, spring means biasing said brush to project through the open bottom of said chamber, a surface engaging plate secured to said hollow nozzle member having a cleaning air inlet nozzle opening registering with the interior of said hollow nozzle member, said surface engaging plate having a part in said chamber between said nozzle and brush forming a smooth guide surface and bearing surface for the bristle portion of said brush, a stop lug on said brush, a stop member on said part of said nozzle plate positioned to be engaged by 6 said lug-to limit movement of said brush-under the bias" of said spring means, a spring latch member in said chamber positioned to engage said stop lug'and secure said brush in retracted non-operating position when said brush is moved to said position, and means for releasing said latch having an operating part outside said chamber.

6. Asuction air cleaning tool comprising anelongated nozzle member having front and rear walls, means cooperating with said rear wall to define an open bottom brush chamber including a third wall positioned rearwardly of said rear wall and terminating above the plane of the lower ends of'said front and rear walls, a plurality of spaced guide flanges extending from said rear wall into said chamber, a brush structure including a back 'and brush bristles projecting therefrom, said brush back being slidably mounted in said chamber betweensaid guide flanges and said third wall, spring means in said chamber biasing said brush structure into carpet engaging position, a stop lug on said brush back projecting towardsaid rear wall between said guide flanges, a leaf spring secured to said rear wall and extending into the path of movement of said brush back, a tang in said spring positioned to engage said lug to retain said brush structure in non-operating position, said third wall having a slot therein, a guide flange on said brush back extending into said slot, and-a release member for said leaf spring extending through said slot above the non-operating position of said brush.

7. A suction air cleaning tool comprising an elongated nozzle member having front and rear walls, means cooperating with said rear wall to define an open bottom brush chamber including a third wall positioned rearwardly of said rear wall and terminating above the plane of the lower ends of said front and rear walls, a plurality of spaced guide flanges extending from said rear wall into said chamber, a brush structure including a back and brush bristles projecting therefrom, said brush back being slidably mounted in said chamber between said guide flanges and said third wall, spring means in said chamber biasing said brush structure into carpet engaging position, a surface'engaging plate underlying said nozzle member and having a cleaning air inlet opening to the space between said front and rear walls, means detachably securing said plate to said nozzle portion, said plate having a flange extending into said chamber in parallel spaced relation to said rear wall to provide a smooth guide surface for said bristles, and means on said plate for engaging said brush back to prevent removal thereof from said chamber.

8. A suction air surface cleaning tool comprising, a body member having a pair of elongated parallel open bottom chambers forming a suction nozzle and a brush chamber and a conduit member adapted to be connected to a source of suction communicating with said nozzle chamber and extending rearwardly of said body member over said brush chamber, a brush slidably mounted in said brush chamber, spring means biasing said brush to project through the open bottom of said brush chamber, means limiting the extent to which said brush is projected by said spring means, and a latch mechanism including a spring latch in said brush chamber adapted to engage and retain said brush in a retracted non-operating position against the bias of said spring means and a toe operated lever for releasing said spring latch having an operating part projecting rearwardly of said body member beneath said conduit.

9. A suction air surface cleaning tool comprising a body member having an elongated hollow nozzle portion at its front terminating in an open bottom forming an air inlet bounded by an outwardly projecting flange along the front and sides of said air inlet, an open bottom brush chamber extending in parallel relation to said nozzle portion at the rear thereof and a tubular exhaust conduit communicating with said nozzle portion and extending rearwardly of said body; a tubular connecting member adapted to be connected to a source of suction swivelled in said exhaust. conduit and being formed with a peripheral shoulder positioned inwardly of the open end of said conduit and facing outwardly thereof, an anchoring member extending through said exhaust conduit and engaging said shoulder to secure said connecting member against displacement, a shell of plastic material encasing said body member except for the bottom portion of said brush chamber and said air inlet and overlying said anchoring member to secure it against displacement, and said shell having a portion lying against the underside of said flange, a. brush slidably mounted in said chamber, spring means biasing said brush outwardly of said chamber into surface engaging position, a surface contacting plate secured to the underside of said body member and having an air inlet nozzle opening to said nozzle portion air inlet, means on said plate engaging the portions of said shell underlying said flange to clamp said shell to said body member, and, means on said plate extending into said brush chamber into the path of movement of said brush to form a stop limiting the projection of said brush by said spring means.

Relierences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS McKenzie Feb. 13, Spencer I an. 24, Oblosser Mar. 24, Martinet Apr. 8, Bass Mar. 26, Mall Nov. 19, Dunbar June 25, Ross June 17, Seyfried Feb. 9, Lofgren May 4, Peterson Feb. 7, Humphrey Oct. 9, Kelly Apr. 21, Lewyt et al. July 6,