US3040368A

US3040368A - Vacuum cleaner nozzle

Info

Publication number: US3040368A
Application number: US840895A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nilsson Nils Herbert
Original assignee: Electrolux AB
Current assignee: Electrolux AB
Priority date: 1958-09-25
Filing date: 1959-09-18
Publication date: 1962-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1979-06-26
Also published as: DE1193212B; CH377497A; BE582576A; GB881594A; ES251903A1; FR1235128A; NL242853A; NL120175C

Description

June 26, 1962 N. ||f NlLssoN 3,040,368

VACUUM CLEANER -NOZZLE Filed Sept. 18, 1959 I Y l 5 Sheets-Shet 1 L; frein/fr June 26, 1962 1 N. H. NlLssoN 3,040,368

VACUUM CLEANER NozzLE Filed Sept. 18, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ./fmVFn i: inn In 64 INVENTOR.

June 26, 1962 N. H. NlLssoN 3,040,368

VACUUM CLEANER NozzLE Filed S'ept. 18. 1959 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a INVENToR.

United States Patent() 3,048,368 VACUUM CLEANER NZZLE Nils Herbert Nilsson, Stockholm, Sweden, assigner to Aktiebolaget Electrolux, Stockholm, Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Filed Sept. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 840,895 Claims priority, application Sweden Sept. 25, 1958 '14 Claims. (Cl. 15-373) This invention relates to vacuum cleaner nozzles.

It is an object of the invent-ion to provide an improved multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle.

It is a `further object of the invention to provide a multi-purpose nozzle which is both reliable and simple to operate.

Still another object of the invention 4is to provide an improved nozzle having relatively movable parts which are selectively arranged in different operating positions in a very simple manner.

To achieve the above and other of its objectives, the inVen-t-ion contemplates the connecting of the relatively movable operational par-ts of a vacuum cleaner nozzle by special means which enable these movable parts to be displaced relatively by the selective application of forces thereto, said means having stable conditions only when one or the other of said parts is in operative position and -being otherwise in an unstable condition due to which it urges one of said parts into an operative position.

It is a feature of Ithe invention that the above-indicated forces may :be readily and Vconveniently -applied by an operator.

It is a further feature of the invention that said special means provides for maintaining the movable parts in relative attitudes by means of which the nozzle is adapted to perform different types of operations.

Other objects and features of the invention will be found in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment `as illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. l is a longitudinal sectional view of a vacuum cleaner nozzle provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thel invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates, partially broken away, the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIG. 1 in a modified operating condition;

FIG. 3 is `an endv sectional view corresponding to `the illustration of FIG. l and further illustrating a suction tube connected with the nozzle; n

FIG. 4 is an end sectional view corresponding to that illustrated in FIG. 3 but with the elements of the nozzle arranged in .the operating condition illustrated by FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view, partially broken away, of said vacuum cleaner nozzle; and

FIGS. 6 to 1l illustrate respectively the manner in which the vacuum cleaner nozzle of FIGS. 1 to 5 is manipulated.

A first operative condition of the vacuum cleaner nozzle of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.' 1 `and 3. Referring to these figures, as well as to FIG. 5, it is seen that the nozzle of the invention comprises a first or inner suction section 12 and an outer suction section 14.

Sections

12 and 14 are movable relative to one another and are adapted to assume different relative positions or attitudes which constitute different operating conditions lfor said nozzle. More particularly, section 12 can assume a first relative attitude with respect to section 14 whereby section 12 is 4retracted into section 14 so lthat the latter section is operative; and, alternatively, section 12 may assume a relative attitude with respect to section 14 whereby section 12 protrudes and is the operative member for purposes of performing a vacuuming operation.

l ICC toothed section, as will hereinafter .become apparent, canv also be placed into an operative position.

Outer section 14 is also in the form of a hood. This hood flares outwardly into a neck portion 32 within which is accommodated the upper part 24 of the inner section 12. Part 24 extends outwardly through neck portion 32 to a greater or lesser extent depending on which of

sections

12 and 14 isl in operative position.

Inner Isection 12 defines a circular bearing 34 (FIG. 3) in which is accommodated a pivot member 36 which is integral with a suction or outlet tube 38. A bolt 4G` is provided to engage pivot member 36 so as to maintain -tube 38 pivotally connected with inner section 12. Moreover, arcuate guides 39 are provided to confine tube. 38.

The

lowermost extremities

42 and 44 of tube 38 define the .tubes suction opening 46. Upper parts 48 and 50 of tube 38, however, function to close off the tube 38 in lthe upward direction. This effectively permits only vone of the

mouths

22 or 28 to be operative, depending on which is lowermost and therefore coupled to opening 46.

Mounted on the upper surface of section 14 are two

foot plates

52 and 54 which are retained in position by means of

bolts

56 and 58. Bolt 58 extends downwardly into a framework 6i) -fixed internally o f section 14. Bolt 56 extends internally of section 14 into a weighted member 62 which is afiixed internally of the section 14. Member 62 causes the nozzle to tilt about tube 38 when the nozzle is lifted-from the oor and thus assists transferring the vacuuming operation from mouth 22 to mouth 28 and vice versa.

Depending from section 14 are groups of bristles 64 which cooperatively define slots 66. The lower extremities-of bristles 64 vdefine a common plane which is hereinafter referred to as Ithe brushing plane 68. This plane coincides with the surface to be cleaned when section 14 is the operative member.

Bristles 64 are retained in a channel member 78 (FIG. 3) of inverted substantially U-shaped cross-section, the channel 70 being retained in position against the section 14 by means of a peripheral resilient member 72 which additionally constitutes a bumper.

As stated above,

sections

12 and 14 are movable relative to one another. They are, however, connected by means which guides the movement of

sections

12 and 14 relative to one another and by means which assists in controlling the relative movements of said sections.

For purposes of guiding the movement of the sections relative to one another, there is provided a guide member or yoke 74 having a' center section 76 pivotally mounted on outer section 14. For example, the center section 76 may be retained in position on section 14 between peripheral member 72 and a flange 78 (FIG. 3) provided on section 14. The yoke 74 is therefore `free to pivot about the axis defined by center section 76.

The free ends 80 yand -82 of yoke 74 are bent inwardly towards one another `and are accommodated in elongated or `oval slots or apertures 84 (FIG.. 3) provided in the inner section 12. 'Phe resiliency of yoke 74 is suiiicient to assure a ready and permanent engagement of the yoke with the inner section 12, `the movement of which with respect to section 14 is restricted by the yoke 74 as well as by the movement of upper part24 in the neck portion 32 of section 14.

It is also to be noted that the inner section 12 is provided with a portion 86 which supports bearing 34. Portion 86 constitutes a stop or afbutment intended for contacting the upper surface of flange 78 for limiting the downward movement of section 12 relative to section 14. Similarly, a peripheral resilient member 88 (FIG. 3) may be provi-ded internally of the section 14 and supported on the latterk to provide an yabutment or stop intended to contact shoulders 90 of section 12 so as to limit upward movement of the l-atter said section.

Also connecting

sections

12 and 14 are leaf springs 92 and 94 which are accommodated on the one hand in two slots in section 12 and on the other hand in slots respectively provided in

members

62 and 60. Stated another way, the over-center leaf springs 92 `and 94 are arranged in compression between the

nozzle sections

12 and 14 and deflect laterally between their ends in opposite directions from an intermediate `unstable position to bias one or the other section to its surface-engaging position. These leaf springs constitute bi-stable members or snap springs which urge

theV sections

12 and 14 into relative attitudes whereby one or the other of these sections is in operative position. 'Ihese springs, further, each have a dead center position which is a position in which the springs are mechanically unstable. The springs when in the dead center position tend to urge one of

sections

12 and 14 towards operative position and further tend to resist relative mofvement of sections 12 Iand 14 when either of the latter is in operative position.

More specifically, leaf springs 92 and 94 lare curved or S-shaped springs fabricated from beryllium copper or the like. These springs constitute and are exemplary of the special means which are employed by the invention to facilitate the maintaining of

sections

12 and 14 in the aforenoted relative attitudes.

FIGS. 1 and 3 are illustrative of the relative attitude of

sections

12 and 14 whereby section 12 is retracted or withdrawn into section 14. The operative surface of the nozzle under these circumstances corresponds to ibrushing plane 68 so that section 14 is the operative member. In FIGS. 2 and 4, however, section 12 extends or protrudes downwardly out of section 14 so that section 12 is then yadapted to engage the surface to be cleaned and section 12 is thus the operative member in these rfigures.

In this last noted working condition, it will be noted that neck portion 32 of section 14 is spaced from upper part 24 of section 12 and defines therewith a gap 96 (FIG. 2). In the working condition illustrated in FIG. l, however, neck portion 32 `and upper part 24 are in contacting'relationship at 98.

In FIG. 4, it is to be noted that shoulders 90 are spaced from stop 88 whereas section 86 is in contact with flange 78. The movement limiting functions of ele-

Vments

78 and 88 in cooperation with

elements

86 and 90 will be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4.

When the section 12 moves from the position illustrated in FIG. l to the position illustrated in FIG. 2, it moves through a critical position corresponding to the dead center position of the springs 92 and 94. In the preferred embodiment of the invention this critical position occurs when the lower extremity 98 of section 12 coincides with brushing plane 68. When the section 12 is in this position, the snap action of springs 92 and 94 will not permit section 12 to remain stationary and will tend to urge section 12 into one of the positions illustrated respectively in FIGS. 1 Iand 2.

Portions

18 and 20 of section 12 are angularly disposed las aforesaid. More particularly, section 12 is adapted for moving in a direction D relative to section 14 or in a direction opposite thereto.

Sections

18 and 20 have surfaces which dene an iacute angle 100 with direction D for a purpose which will be clarified hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 6-ll.

FIG. 6 illustrates an operating condition of the nozzle corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 3. In FIG. 6, bristles 64 provide the operative surface which corresponds to a surface or object 102 which is to be cleaned. Suction tube 38 is connected toa wand 104 of an associated vacuum cleaner (not shown). Section 12 extends upwardly through section 14 to its fullest extent so that

members

18 and 20 are spaced from surface 102. This operative condition is for cleaning a hard surface such as a floor or the like.

If the nozzle is to be used for cleaning a rug having a thick pile, it is more desiralble that the

solid members

18 and 20 be employed for purposes of contacting the surface to be cleaned. FIG. 7 illustrates the depressing of section 12 by means of the foot 106 of the vacuum cleaner operator. In order that the bristles 64 will be capable of constituting a support for this operation, they are preferably collectively stronger than springs 92 and 94.

More particularly, FIG. 7 illustrates that the lower extremity 98 of section 12 has been displaced downwardly in the direction of Iarrow 108 to a position whereat it coincides with the brushing plane dened by bristles 64. A further movement of

sections

18 and 20 into the pile of the carpet will cause springs 92 Iand 94 to be urged past their dead center positions so that section 12 will snap into the position whereat its

members

18 and 20 will protrude downwardly out of the section 14.

If the pile of the carpet or rug is insuiciently yieldable to accommodate a penetration of

members

18 and 20 so that the springs can be forced past their dead center positions, the angular form of members '18 and 20 will facilitate matters. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the entire nozzle may be tilted so that one of the

angular sections

18 or 20 is substantially parallel to the surface 102. This permits an additional displacement of section 12 which may then be urged past its critical position so that the springs take over and carry it to operative position. The operative position of section 12 with its members -18 and 20 protruding from section 14 is illustrated in FIG. 9 wherein it is apparent that bristles 64 are spaced from surface 102 and no longer perform a brushing function.

FIG. l0 illustrates the application of fonce by means of the operators foot 106 to section 14. This application of force will cause the springs 92 and 94 to pass through their dead center positions in a direction opposite to that indicated above. This will cause bristles 64 to move into koperative position as illustrated in FIG. ll.

It will be apparent from what has been stated above that the members 1'2 and 14 are urgeable into two extreme relative attitudes whereby one or the other of said sections is effective to perform a surface engaging function for a vacuum cleaning operation. The necessary .relative movement is initiated by the application of an operators foot to one or the other of

sections

12 and 14. Initially, movement of the sections relative to one another is resisted by springs 92 and 94. rIhis assures that working conditions will not be inadvertently changed. However, once these springs are forced t0 pass the critical dead center positions, they assume the duties of uirging sections '12 and 14 into their new relative attitudes. This causes the previously inoperative member to become operative and relegates the previously operative member to inoperative status.

It will be appreciated that

sections

12 and 14 are pivotal in unison about tube 38 in a manner such that toothed section 30 and suction mouth 28 are placed in lowermost operative position. This enables the nozzle to provide still another condition of operation in conjunction with the operating conditions which have been noted above.

Theinvention thus provides a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle which is easyvto operate. and is of simple construction.' It will be noted that the nozzle ofthe invention comprises relatively movable parts which lare readily assembled and'that these'members are relatively displaceable byforces which are conveniently applied by an operator. f Y There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications .and variations of the structure set forth. These modifications and variations will not, however, depart from the scope of the invention if they /are defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle, the combination kof two working elementsfor engaging surfaces to be cleaned, said elements being movable with respect to each other between first relative positions in which one of said elements is in a surface-engaging position and the other of said elements is out of its surface-engaging position and second relative positions in which the other of Asaid elements is in a surface-engaging position and said one element is'oiitof'its surface-engaging position, means connecting said elements for relative movement with respect to each other between said first and second relative position, said connecting. means including resilient means arranged in compression between said oneand other elements and laterally movable intermediate its ends to two operating positionsat opposite sides of an unstable intermediate position, said resilient means in one of said two operating positions being deflected laterally in one direction from its unstable position to bias said one element to its surface-engaging position and effect movement of said other element to its out-of-surfaceengaging position and in the other of said two operating positions being deflected in an opposite direction from its unstable position to bias said other element to its surfaceengaging position and efect movement of' said one element -to its out-of-surface-engaging position.

2. In a multi-purpose elongatedvacuum cleaner nozzle, the combination of two elongated working elements for engaging surfaces to be cleaned, said elements being movable with respect to each other between first relative positions in which one of said elements is in a surfaceengaging position and the other of said elements is out of its surface-engaging position and second relative positions in which the other of said elements is in a surfaceengaging position and said one element is out of its surface-engaging position, means connecting said elements for relative movement withrespect to each other between said first and second relative positions, said connecting means including elongated spring means arranged in compression between saidvone and other elements and laterally movable intermediate its ends to two operating positions at opposite sides of an unstable intermediate position, means at a first zone of said one element for connecting one end of said elongated spring means thereto, means at a second zone of said other element for connecting the opposite end of said elongated spring means thereto, said elongated spring means in one of said two operating positions being deflected laterally in one direction from its unstable position responsive to downward force applied to said one element at the vicinity of said first zone while the nozzle is in engagement with the surface to bias said one element -to its surface-engaging position and effect movement of said other element to its out-of-surface-engaging position and in the other of said two operating positionsbeing deflected in an opposite direction from its unstable position responsiveto downward force applied to said other element at thevicinity of said second zone while Ithe nozzle is in engagement with the surface to bias said other element to its surfaceengaging position and effect movement of said one element to its out-of-surface-engaging position.

3. A nozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said other Working element comprises 'bristles and an elongated side ofthe housing and includes a part projecting upward through the opening in the housing, said first zone of said one element being adjacent to said part and said second zone of said other element being at said housing.

v s 4. Anozzle as set forth in claim 2 in which said other working element includes stopV means for limiting the lateral deflecting of said elongated spring means in each of itstwooperating positions, said stop means being'positioned to provide a spring force to bias said one and other elements to their surface-engaging position responsive lto lateral defiecting of said elongated spring means in one and the opposite directions,respectively, from its-unstable position. y I' 5. In a multi-purpose vacuum cleaner nozzle, the combination of first andv second Working elements'for engaging surfaces to :be cleaned, said elements being movable with respect to each other between first relative 'positions in which said first element is in a surfacevengaging position and said second element is out of its surface-engaging position and vsecond relative positions in which said second element is in asUIaCe-engaging position and said first element is outy of its surface-engaging position, first means connecting said elements for relative movement with respect to each other in a path between said first and second relative positions, second means-connecting said elements comprisin-g spring means arranged in compression between said first and second elements and laterally movable intermediate its ends to two operating positions at opposite sides of an unstable intermediate position, said spring means in one of said two operating positions being defiected laterally in one direction from its unstable position tobias said first element to its surface-engaging position and effect movement of said second element to its out-of-surface-engaging position and in the other of said two operating positions being deflected in an opposite direction from its unstable position to =bias said second element to its surfaceengaging position and effect movement of said first element to its out-of-surface-engaging position, and one of said Velements including stop means for limiting the rela- .tive movement of said elements and limiting the lateral deecting of said spring means in each of its two operating positions.

6. A nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said second element comprises brush bristles and an elongated housing 'and said first element comprises an elongated hollow member at the underside of the housing, the hollow member comprising spaced side walls and connecting end walls, the side walls transverse to their lengths having their bottom edges sloping upward at an acute angle to the horizontal in directions from their interior surfaces.

7. A nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said first means connecting said elements comprises linkage having one part pivotally mounted on said second element and another part attached to said first element.

8. A nozzle as set forth in claim 7 in which said linkage comprisesa U-shaped member having its bottom pivotally mounted on said second element and the outer ends of its spaced arms attached to said first element.

9. A nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said spring means comprises at least one leaf spring.

l0. A nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said second element comprises a second apertured member and said first element includes a first member having a part projecting upward through the aperture in said second mem-ber, said spring means being deiiected laterally in the one direction from its unstable position responsive to downward force applied to the upwardly extending part of said first member while the nozzle is in engagement with the surface to bias said first element to its surface-engaging position and effect movement of said second element to its out-of-surface-engaging position.

*11. A nozzle as set forth in claim l0 in which the second apertured member forms a housing for said first member and said spring means is deiiected laterally in the opposite direction from its unstable position responsive to downward force applied to the housing while the nozzle is ink engagement with the surface to bias said second element to its surface-engaging position and effect movement of said first element to its out-of-surfaee-engaging position.

12. A nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said second element comprises a second apertured member .forming a housing and said first element includes a first .connecting the inner ends of said leaf springs to said `iirst member adjacent to said upwardly projecting part.

13. A nozzle as set forth in claim 5 in which said second element `comprises a brush including bristles `having the outer free ends disposed in a plane and said iirst element comprises a hollow member having an air inlet, the outer free ends of the brush bristles engaging the surface in the surface-engaging position of said second element and the air inlet of said hollow member engaging the surface D in the surface-engaging position of said first element, and the spring means being in its intermediate unstable position when the air inlet of said hollow member and the aforementioned brush plane are substantially at the same level during relative movement of said elements while said nozzle is positioned on the surface.

14. A nozzle as set forth in claim 13 in which said brush bristles have physical properties which keep them erect when said rst element is being biasedy to its surface-engaging position by said spring means while the nozzle is kpositioned onthe surface.

References Cted'in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,694,273 Martinet Dec. 4, 192s 1,812,493 Martinet June 30, 1931 2,178,427 Lang Oct. 31, 1939 2,227,299 Cr'anmer Dec. 31, 1940 2,421,661 Taylor .Tune 3, 1947 2,655,682 McCarthy Oct. 20, 1953 2,814,066 Lesh Nov. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS France June 22, 1959