US2867833A

US2867833A - Convertible suction cleaners

Info

Publication number: US2867833A
Application number: US499613A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jack E Duff
Original assignee: Hoover Co
Current assignee: Hoover Co
Priority date: 1955-04-06
Filing date: 1955-04-06
Publication date: 1959-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 1976-01-13
Also published as: GB778577A; FR1145649A

Description

Jan. 13, 1959 J. E. DUFF 2,867,833

CONVERTIBLE SUCTION CLEANERS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 6, 1955 Jan. 13, 1959 J. E. DUFF CONVERTIBLE SUCTION vCLEANERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April e, 1955 Jan. 13, 1959 J. E. DUFF 2,857,833

CONVERTIBLE sUcTIoN CLEMnRsv y 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 6, 1955 United States Patent O 2,867,833 CoNvERTIBLE sUcTIoN CLEANERS Jack E. DniiZCanton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of hio Application April 6, 1955, Serial No. 499,613 6 claims. (c1. ls-azs) nozzle, the casing forming a handle for the cleaner whereby it may be propelled about for normal on-theoor cleaning.

The motor-fan unit is mounted in the bottom portion of the casing, and :draws dirt laden air through a filter bag mounted in the top of the casing. A duct pivotally connected to the wheeled nozzle extends upwardly along the casing to an inlet in the top of the casing to conduct dirt laden air into the inlet of the filter bag.

The inlet connection to the lter bag is provided with a valve arrangement for insertion of a tube connected to a cleaning tool hose whereby upon insertion of the tube into the topof the casing air ow is diverted from` the on-the-floor nozzle to the cleaning tool hose whereby dirt laden air from the cleaning-tool is drawn into the inlet of the filter bag. y

According to the present invention, the cleaning tool hose is an extensible and contracti'ble hose which may be contracted axially into a small space occupying about one third of its extended length and when extended may be used for oi-the-oor cleaning.V

In order to store the collapsible hose on the cleaner when converted to on-the-floor cleaning, a storage receptacle is provided in one side wall of the ilter-motor-fan casing to receive the hose and also tov receive the Wand or extension tube normally hose when the latter is used for off-the-oor cleaning. Additionally, a hand piece which is used in propelling the cleaner about during on-the-oor cleaning is telescoped into the end fitting of the wand so as to form an integral part of the on-the-oor cleaner. When in storage position, the extensible and collapsible hose surrounds the extension tube or wand, and the latter is provided with a bayonet connection to anchor it at the bottom end of the storage receptacle so that it may be used for propelling the cleaning during on-the-oor cleaning.

When it is desired to convert to off-the-floor cleaning, it is only necessary to remove the hand piece, collapsible hose and wand from the receptacle in which they are stored. The hose, being extensible to three or four times its collapsed or stored length, may be extended and used by itself as an off-the-oor cleaning tool. The hand piece may be connected to the free end of the hose and may be used as a cleaning tool. In addition, the wand may be attached to the end of the hand piece and any suitable cleaning tool attached to its other end.

In convertingto off-the-oor cleaning, the wand is unlatched and removed from the storage receptacle. Since the upper end of the contracted hose has a frictionalA fit with the wand, the hose will also `be removed from the attached to the end of the ICC storage receptacle along with` the propelling hand piece, The free end of the hose is then inserted into the valved opening in the top of the filter casing to close off the normal on-the-fioor dirt laden yair conducting tube and to place the hose in open communication with the inlet to the filter.

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

Figurel is a side schematic view of the cleaner of the present invention showing the hose and wand in stored position and thefhand piece in position for use in pro-, peiling the cleaner, j v

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the lter casing showing the hose in its stored contracted position, the

attachedto the upper end of the wand,

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional viewshowing the position the hose takes when it is contracted and in relation to the wand when in storage position,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on ure 2, and

Figure 5 shows the cleaner of the present invention converted to off-the-oor cleaning. l 4

The hose used with the cleaner of the present invention is ultraexible, extensible yand contractable and is shown in detail in its contracted position in Figures 2 and 3 and in its extended position in Figure 5.

The hose is generally represented by the reference numeral 1t) and comprises a thin thermoplastic tube 11 line M4 of Figencasing a cylindrical helix 12. The helix 12 is formed of a metallic helically coiled reinforcing element 13 encased or sheathed within a thermoplastic sheath 14.

Thehose 10 is provided with

end fittings

15 and 16, one for connection to the suction inlet to the filter for oif-the-oor'cleaning, and the other for connection to suitable cleaning tools as will presently appear.

Between the

fittings

15 and 16, the hose 10 is formed with deep folds having inwardly and outwardly facing

valleys

17 and 18, respectively, with the turns 19 of the reinforcing element 12 trapped within the inwardly facing valleys 17 and with the walls 20 which form the Valleys in contact with each other when the hose is in its contracted position as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The turns 19 of the reinforcing element are so wound as to tendto move into contact with each other to form the

deep valleys

17 and 18 in the tube 11 when no extending force is applied thereto. The inside diameter of the tube being normally less than the diameter of `the coil 12, its walls will move inwardly to form the folds 20 as the hose contracts; However, a few ounces of force will extend the hose 1li to the position shown in Figure 5, and the walls 20 will flatten out as shown at 21 in Figure 5, so that the hose 1i) may be extended to three or four times its contracted length, but yet will occupy, when contracted, a very short length capable, of being stored in the small space provided by the length of the casing 25 of the cleaner generally indicated kby the reference numeral 26 as shown in Figures l and 5.

At the ends of the hose 1@ where the fittings are attached, the turns 9 of the reinforcing element 12 are in Contact with each other, and the wall` 1-1 is uncorrugated as shown at 8. f kp The cleaner 26 comprises a nozzle 27 having a downwardly facing nozzle opening 28 and is mounted for ambulatory movement by front and rear wheels 29 and 3l), respectively.

A suction pipe 31 communicates with the nozzle opening 28 and is pivoted to the nozzle 27 at 32. The pipe 31 communicates with a suction tube 33 which forms a part of the casing `25l and communicating with an inlet t `for-cleaning or replacement of the filterbag 38'which s mounted within the "upperend of the casing v25 bymeans of a combined supporting ring and sealing lgasket 39 as shown in Figure y2.

A motor-fan Iunit 40 is suitably supported in the lower end of casing 25 so as to produce a suction at the tube l36, the air being exhausted `by -Way of an exhaust opening 40.

A vertically extending receptacle 41'Ais formedin one l Wall of casing 25`for receiving the'extension'wand 142 and the vcontracted hose 10. A guide 43 is providedin the l Ibottom of the receptacle l41 lfor centering the Wand 42 and is provided with a pin 44 which coacts-with' the bayonet slot'45 in the end of the wand 42 to hold the latter ina rigid positionwithin the receptacle 41.

The contracted hose V `has an inside diameter such that it may be telescoped about the wand 42 in its storage t position within the receptacle 41, the latter'being provided with a cup shaped support -46 for engagement with the end of the fitting 16 to supportthe-hose 10 in its storage `position. The wand 42 has a sliding't with the fitting and operates to center the hose 10 at its upper end. AThe hand piece l46 hasl one end 47 shaped'tofriction- `ally fit within the upper end 4S of the wand 42 so that l the hand piece 46 may be used as a handle for propelling Vthe cleaner about during the on-theliioor cleaning, it 'being noted that the lower end of the wand 42 is anchored in place by the `bayonet --connection 44, 45 'for that vpurpose. i l

The fitting 16 is formed with a groove 50 which coacts with a spring clamp 51 to hold the end of the hose in the converter fitting 36 when the cleaner is converted to offthe-floor cleaning. The legs 'of the spring clamp 51 are normally positioned in slits 52 in the walls of the conlverter tube 36, but may be expanded by pressing on button '53 toV release the hose as will presently appear.

The upper end of cap is closed by a pivoted closure 155 which is spring "biased to closed position as shown in I'full lines'in Figure 2, but may lbe moved to its-'dotted line position shown in that kfigure to close the opening to the duct 34 when the cleaner is converted to ofi-the- 'iioor cleaning.

Operation In normal on-the-iioor cleaning, the hand piece :46 is grasped, and the casing 25 pivoted backwardly about the pivot 32 whereby the cleaner may be propelled about yon

vits wheels

29 and 30 for general on-the-fioor cleaning purposes. The motor-fan unit which isl positioned in "the lower part'of the casingl25 is then energized, which will produce a suction within the converter `VJtube 36, passage 34,

conduit

33 and 31` and nozzle 28. The suction thus produced will lift the carpet upwardly against the nozzle mouth 28, and the action of the agitator 5 will remove dust and dirt from the carpet'in a manner well known in the art.

l The dirt laden air Will pass through the nozzle 28, rconduit 31 and 33, through ducts 34 and .36 and into the lter 33- where vthe dust and dirt will be separated` from the air stream, and the latter will pass through the lter while the dirt and litter will be collected on the interior of the filter 38. The clean air will then pass through the motor-fan unit and be exhausted through the exhaust port ,i It. is vto benoted that during on-the-oor cleaning, the wand 42 is anchoredto thebottorn of thereceptacle 41 by the

bayonet connection

44, 45, and the hand piece is'rigidly and frictionally connected vto the upper'end of thefwand 48'so .thata'` rigid connection is provided for; 'pivting the casing 25 backwardly, andiforpropelllng l1t` `vrabout over"the"surface"" being cleaned.

escasas When it is ydesired -to vconvert v.to oi-the-oorcleaning, the wand 42 is rotated to `release the -

fbayonet connection

44, 45, whereby it and the hose 10 may be easily removed from the receptacle 41. e

The fitting 16 of the hose is then inserted into the converter tube 36 which will push the valve 55 to a dotted line position of Figure 2 -and `close the duct 34. At the same time, .jthefwire i clamp 45-1 `will -be Lengaged in the grove Sil of the fitting 16 and firmly hold that endrof the =hose V16 to fthecleaner bodywhereby-itrnaytbe extended to :three vor -four'timesits contracted length and usedifor ofT-the-fioorfcleaning as showntin Figure 5.

The motor-fan unit may then be' energized,V and a suction will lbe v.dr-a--vvnon-thhose `10. The iitting 15 itself may be used as crevice tool whereby the dirt laden air will flow through the hose 10 into the filter 38 Where the dirt will be deposited, and the air will pass through the wallsfof'they filter andthe celan-air dischargedi through the exhaustport-40. 1

If a longerfextensionvis desired, `either-th e hand piece 46for1t`he wand/42'maylbeinsertediintothe fitting 15--o`f l the hose and be held-thereinby 'friction '-or any other suitabletconnection. `Anysuitable-cleaning tool may rloe attached to the'free yen'd Vof thehand -piece 46 or-wand'42 as the'caserna-y be.

If a Llonger extension is desired as when cleaning drapes, etc., the hand piece 46 is attached tothe-fitting T15, andthe wand'42 is attachedto its freeend bythe frictionalljointl as shownin .Figuref The bayonet' slot 45- may,y then be usedV to-attach any --suitable.cleaning tool.

When-itisdesired toreconvertthe cleaner to -on-the- Yiioorcleanng or to-put itin storagethe end piece 46 and wand 42fare removed. P=The button-f531may-then be depressedto expandfthe-spring clamp Sl'tand release the fitting 216 l whereby it maylbe removed from the' converterftube 36, and theYvalve-SS will-.moveto itsffull line positionfof Figure y2 closing theA converter portvfand lopening the port leading totthegductflii. "Thehose "-150 may then `be -placedinfreceptacle v41 a'ndcontractedfas shown in Figure 2 with the end of fitting restingv on cupl 146, itbeing-l notedthat l' the lhosell) ywillrnatura'lly 'tend to contract toitsminimumlength andin its contracted position will occupy the short length of receptaclel41. I.

Thefbayonet end ofthe-wand y42.1nay the'nbe inserted within the contracted hose 10. "i Its bayonet end145-will engage the :guide 143 and center both the wand' 42'=.and 'the'lhose 10|within thereceptacle '41. The.Wand1-42lrnay then "beyrotated ='.to engage the s 'bayonet connectioni44,

.145,whereby1thelower end. ofy theifwand :willlbe ,firmly anchored .to thecaSng 25. Flhe end47 of the .handpiecc wand 42 whereby the. hand piece 46 may be utilizedfor propelling the=cleanerabout- 'IFrom the:foregoing-description, yiti-may befseeniggthat the present inventionaprovides al1 arrangement` by..wl1ich -bothathe wand 4Z-and Vthezhandfpiece 46-.serve a -useful function Ybothawhen` the cleaner is used foron-the-oor Aand :also when =used forwof-thedioor cleaning. .Addi- Qtonally,-1the extensible and Lcontractable hose mayy be storedin a compact package.4 about/ithe wand 42 when the cleaner is used for on-the-iioor cleaningand-.maybc extended ato three 1 or i" four times its contracted: length when use'dfor-ol-the-fioor cleaning. n

'While I-have shown and described but a singleembodiment of myinvention, it-isfto' beunderstood thatlthat, embodiment` is to be taken as lillustrative' only and not:` ina limiting sense. f I1dol not wishftobe lirnitedLto.theparticin use in onthe-lloor cleaning, a propelling handle pivoted to said body and extending in a generally vertical direction When in storage position, a converter port associated with said 'cleaner for use in converting the cleaner to off-thefloor cleaning, suction creating means for alternatively producing a flow of air through said nozzle or through saidr converter port, an air flow path from said nozzle to said suction creating means, a second air flow path from said converter port to said suction creating means including a portion of said first air iioW path, a single length of reinforced corrugated hose extensible to at least twice its collapsed length by the application of a few pounds pull thereto for use in ofi-the-oor cleaning, said hose being of the self-collapsing type which automatically assumes its collapsed position when the extending force is released, a tting attached to each end of said hose, one of said ttings being detachably connectible to said converter port for converting said cleaner to-ol-the-floor cleaning, means associated with said converter port and with said one litting for closing the air flow path from said nozzle to said suction creating means and opening the air ow ,nath from said converter port to said suction creating means as said one fitting is connectedto said converter port, an elongated cylindrical receptacle associated with said handle, said receptacle having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of said hose when the latter is in its collapsed condition and being of a length to just receive said hose and fittings when said hose is in its collapsed condition whereby said hose and fittings may be completely encased in said receptacle when the cleaner is used for on-the-floor cleaning and easily removed from said receptacle and attached to said converter port when the cleaner is used for o-the-oor cleaning and wherein said hose may'then be extended to at least twice the length of said receptacle to provide ample hose length for oif-the-oor cleaning. v

2 In a suction cleaner according to claim l including an extension wand for attachment to the end of said hose when the cleaner is used for offthefloor cleaning, said wand being of a diameter to t within the interior of said hose when the latter is encased within said receptacle during on-the-loor cleaning.

3. In a suction cleaner according to clairn 2 including a hand piece having one end formed for connection with the second of said fittings and its other end formed for connection to said wand whereby said hand piece may be connected to the free end of said hose and -said wand may be attached to the end of said hand piece for ofE-the-iloor cleaning and said hand piece may be attached to the end of said wand when the latter is encased within said hose so as to form a part of said handle during on-theoor cleaning.

4. ln a suction cleaner according to claim 3 in which means is provided within said receptacle for anchoring said wand assembled withinsaid hose.

5. A suction cleaner comprising, a' body mounted for ambulatory movement over a surface to be cleaned, a downwardly facing nozzle formed on said body, a suction conduit pivotally connected to said body and communicating with said nozzle and movable to a vertical storage position, a casing secured to said conduit and in comf munication with the upper end thereof, alter mounted in the upper end of said casing to receive dirt laden air from said conduit, suction creating means within the lower end of said casing for drawing air through said nozzle and conduit into said ltery and for discharging cleaned air to atmosphere, converter opening-in the upper end of said casing adjacent the entrance of said conduit thereto, a Flexible hose extensible to at least twice its collapsed length by the application of a few pounds pull thereto for use in oit-the-lioor cleaning, said hose being of the self-collapsing type which automatically assumes its collapsed position when the extending force is released, a fitting attached to each end of said hose, one of said littings being constructed for detachable connection to said converter port for converting said cleaner to o-the-floor cleaning, means associated with said one f1tting and with said converter port for closing air flow from said nozzle to said ilter and establishing air ow through said converter port to said lter when said one iitting is attached to said converter port, an elongated cylindrical receptacle secured'to the side of said casing and extending lengthwise thereof, said receptacle having an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of said hose when the latter is in its .collapsed position and being of a length to just receive said hose and fitting when said hose is collapsed, and said conduit, casing and receptacle'forming at least a part of a handle for use in propelling said cleaner over a surface to be cleaned.

6. A suction cleaner according to claim 5 including a wand and a hand piece, said hand piece having one end constructed for detachable .connection to the second of said hose fittings and its other end constructed for detachable connection to one end of said wand, whereby the hand piece alone or the hand piece and wand may be attached to the free end of said hose for use in oi-the-tloor cleaning, said wand being of a diameter to t within said hose when the latter is in its collapsed position within said receptacle and of a length to extend beyond the end of said receptacle when positioned within said hose, and means within the bottom of said receptacle coacting with means on the other end of said wand for anchoring said wand within said receptacle whereby 'said hose and wand may be storediwithin Vsaid receptacle and said hand piece may be attached to the outer end of said wand for use in propelling said cleaner when the cleaner is used for onthe-oor cleaning.

References Cited in ther tile of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 1,217,817 Peters Feb. 27, 1917 1,338,791 Replogle May 4, 1920 1,763,397 Hutchinson June 10, 1930 1,882,441 Nielsen Oct. 1l, l1932 2,123,914 Replogle July 19, 1938 2,269,482 Replogle Jan. 13, 1942 2,343,056 Harlett Feb. 29, 1944 2,367,437 Salt Jan. 16, 1945 2,396,059 Roberts Mar. 5, 1946 2,504,846 Kirby Apr. 16, 1950 2,566,030 McGuire Aug. 28, 1951 2,573,091 Brown Oct. 30, 1951. 42,607,863 MacFarland Aug. 19, 1952 2,642,616 Browne June'23, 1953 Duff Mar.- 27, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS Denmark Jan. 2,v 1945