US3380105A - Duplex vacuum cleaner nozzle - Google Patents

Description

April 1968 M. E. BELICKA 3,380,105

DUPLEX VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE Filed June 21, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. MICHAEL E BELICKA ATTORNEY April 0, 1968 M. E. BELICKA 3,380,105

DUPLEX VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE Filed June 21, 1966 3 SheetsSheet 2 FIG. 3

INVENTOR MICHAEL E. BELICKA wwdm ATTORNEY April 30, 1968 ME. BELICKA 3,380,105

DUPLEX VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE Filed June 21, 1966 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR MICHAEL E. BELICKA ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,380,105 DUPLEX VACUUM CLEANER NOZZLE Michael E. Belicka, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to Electrolux Corporation, Old Greenwich, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 21, 1966, Ser. No. 564,465 9 Claims. (Cl. -417) This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner suction tool having a body provided with a pair of opposed cleaning sides used respectively, for cleaning soft surfaces such as rugs and hard surfaces such as wood floors, the cleaning sides being brought to cleaning position alternately by rotating the body. The invention is more particularly concerned with providing a valve means for the tool which is operated automatically by the rotation of the body to blockoff suction air supply to the cleaning side which is not being used.

Multi-purpose vacuum cleaning tools as for example, one having two cleaning sides either of which may be manipulated to a cleaning position by rotating the body of the tool about the suction tube with which it is connected are known in the art. Generally, one cleaning side of the tool is provided with a brush element for cleaning hard wood floors and linoleum covered surfaces. The other-side does not have a brush element and being smooth faced, is used for cleaning rugs, carpets and like soft surfaces. The vacuum cleaner tool is generally arranged in selected cleaning positions by rotating the body thereof one-half revolution around the horizontal part of a hollow suction elbow to alternately bring the respec tive sides to a cleaning position on the floor. The multipurpose character of the cleaner tool thus entails providing valve means in the tool body for isolating the cleaning side which is not being used from the suction applied through the elbow thereby to maintain maximum suction at the other cleaning side.

One type of such valve is shown in Patent No. 1,849,- 515 of Mar. 15, 1932, wherein the elbow and the nozzle body comprise the elements of a rotary valve so that, as the nozzle body is pivoted around the elbow, communication is automatically established between the nozzle opening which is at the bottom and the interior of the elbow, while communication with the nozzle opening at the top is interrupted. However, an arrangement of this type has the disadvantage that it is not possible to pivot the elbow through the 90 arc required in order to lower the wand connected thereto the floor in order to manipulate the nozzle under low furniture, without at least partially opening the Valve so as to establish communication between upper nozzle and the elbow.

It is also well known to provide a valve within the nozzle which is not operated by rotation of the nozzle about the elbow, and consequently the elbow may be turned the necessary 90 to bring the wand to a position close to the floor without actuating the valve. However, in such an arrangement the valve must be operated by an addiitional conscious eifort of the opera-tor, which is not only a nuisance, but which may be forgotten entirely in which case only the upper nozzle would be connected to the elbow and no air whatsoever would be drawn through the nozzle in contact with the floor.

The vacuum cleaner tool of the present invention is characterized by the feature that the valve element therein is actuated by the manipulation of the cleaning tool body automatically upon the rotation of same through approximately l80 about the suction tube with which it is connected, while at the same time the elbow may be turned 90 with respect to the body without shifting the valve. Thus, for example, if the brush element cleaning side (hard surface cleaning) is in cleaning position and it becomes necessary to use the tool on a ring, the user lifts the cleaning tool from the floor and rotates the body thereof in a given direction. As the tool body rotates, beyond means therein which are in engagement with the valve element become operable to shift the valve from its position cutting off flow from the rug cleaning side to one cutting oflf flow from the rug cleaning side to one cutting off flow from the hard surface cleaning side. However, as the valve is not actuated until the parts have been rotated more than 90 relative to each other, the 'elbow may be turned through 90 in order to lower the wand without shifting the valve.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of a representative embodiment of the principles of the invention to be described. The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

Reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a vacuum cleaner tool constructed according to the principles of the present invention, as viewed generally along the line II of FIGURE 2, some parts being shownin full;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse central sectional view taken along the line IIII of FIGURE 1, the suction tube to which the tool body is connected and about which the cleaning tool body can be rotated also being shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the cleaning tool as taken along the line III-III of FIGURE 2, the rug cleaning side of the tool being shown in a cleaning position with the valve element within the tool body being shown closing off the suction passage to the brush element cleaning side;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 except it shows the position of the tool body after it has been rotated clockwise -45 when changing the positioning of the cleaning sides;

FIGURE 5 is the same as FIGURE 3 except the clockwise rotation of the body has been carried out to a position 90 from that shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is generally similar to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 and illustrates the position of the body after of rotation: and

FIGURE 7 is similar to FIGURES 3 to 6 except it shows the position of the valve element after the cleaning tool has been rotated so as to bring the brush element cleaning side into cleaning position, the rug cleaning side having been moved to a non-cleaning position, the suction passage associated with the latter being shown blocked off by the now oppositely oriented valve element.

Throughout the description, like reference numerals are used to denote like parts in the drawings.

The valve actuating mechanism of the present invention is described herein by way of example as being used in a vacuum cleaner tool. However, it will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art that it can have a wider range of uses. As for example, it may be used to control hydraulic nozzles having a plurality of outlets wherein it is desired to supply one outlet while valving off the other, with the valving manipulation being effected automatically by rotation of the nozzle body.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2 of the drawings, the vacuum cleaner tool includes a body 10 which is comprised of inter-fitting upper and lower members 12, 14 respectively, the members 12, 14 being connected together by suitable fastening means such as countersunk screws 15. The body members 12 and 14 may be of various materials but in preferred form are die-cast metal, such as aluminum or plastic material. One side of the tool body is intended to be used for cleaning hard surfaces such as wood floors or tile covered surfaces and to that end, is provided with one or more brush elements 16 extending longitudinally of the tool body and secured thereto in channels 17 formed in upper member 12 as best seen in FIGURE 2. The other cleaning side of the tool body is intended to be used for cleaning rugs, cmpets and similar soft surfaces. Thus, it is comprised merely of a contiguous protruding lip 19 formed around the margin of lower member 14, the lip having a flattened lower surface as at 21. Brush elements are not employed on the rug cleaning side as they inhibit movement of the vacuum cleaning tool across the soft surfaces being cleaned. Each cleaning side of the cleaner tool has a nozzle of air suction opening which functions in the usual manner. Thus, the floor cleaning side has an elongated laterally extending nozzle opening 20 which communicates by means of a passage 22 formed in upper body member 12 with a central body cavity generally denoted at 24 and defined by complementary recessed formations in the respective body members. Similarly, the lower body element 14 is provided with a nozzle opening which communicates with the central cavity 24 by means of a passage 32. The passages 22, 32 are formed in the body by transverse wall surfaces as generally indicated at and 42 and serve to establish communication of the respective nozzles with a source of suction air as will appear.

Suction air is drawn into the tool body by the suction tube which is connected in conventional manner by means of a wand element 51 and hose (not shown) to the motor driven vacuum unit (not shown). Since the suction tube 50 is in constant communication with the central cavity 24, operation of the vacuum cleaner tool requires the blocking off at any given time 9f one or the other of passages 22, 32 to isolate its associated nozzle from the suction air. In use, the vacuum cleaner tool which provides two separate cleaning sides for cleaning two different types of surfaces, is placed on a rug or like soft surface in the position indicated in FIGURE 1. When it is thereafter intended that the tool be used for cleaning a hard wood floor requiring the use of the brush element cleaning side, the tool body is merely rotated 180 to bring the latter to a cleaning position. In so doing, however, it is necessary to orient or reposition a valve member accordingly and in the manner as will be described later.

As seen in FIGURE 2, the cleaner tool body 10 is mounted rotatably on the suction tube 50 which in preferred form is an elbow fitting, the elbow being provided at the top center of its horizontal branch 52 with a radially directed pin 53 the purpose of which will be made apparent later in the description. The cleaner tool body carries therein a sleeve 7% which encloses the suction tube 50 as shown and which as will appear is rotatable relative to the tube and the tool body. The sleeve is a cylindrical member which is provided at one end with an internal annular rib 71 against the rear face of which abuts the suction tube pin 53. Also, the rearwardly directed face of the rib is provided with a notch 72 as best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, the notch normally being displaced 45 from the vertical and to the left, as seen in FIGURE 3, of the top center of the suction tube 50 when the rug cleaning side is in cleaning position. A coil spring 73, encloses the suction tube 5t} and is compressed between the frontally directed face of rib 71 and a flange 54 formed at the end of the suction tube. The spring 73 thus normally urges the sleeve 70 rearwardly axially of the suction tube. The front end of sleeve '70 is provided with an outwardly extending circumferential ring 74, on the front face of which is mounted a pair of axially directed pins 75 and 7 6 which grid the valve member 60 on opposite faces thereof as shown. A radial plane midway between pins '75 and 76 also passes through the center of notch 72, In addition, the sleeve 70 is provided with a radially extending stop pin 77 which is bisected by this same plane and which rides in an arcuate blind slot 80 formed in the body housing as best seen in FIGURE 3, the arcuate slot having an expanse of substantially from one end to the other.

As may be seen in FIGURE 1, the valve member 60 employed in the cleaner tool is a snap action leaf spring which is secured at its ends in the tool body 10 at the interface plane of the upper and lower body members 12 and 14 as shown. To facilitate anchoring the valve member ends, the body members 12 and 14 are provided with suitable slotted anchorages. In normal operative condition, the valve member 69 is biased in one direction to close off the suction passage leading to the cleaning side of the tool which is not in use. Thus with the rug cleaner side in cleaning position an shown in FIGURE 1 and the floor cleaner side in a non-cleaning position, the valve member 69 is biased upwardly in the arcuate or bowed shape shown and seats against companion surfaces 61 formed in the tool body structure. The manner in which the valve member 60 seats itself is such that a central portion of the spring extends across passage 22 and effectively blocks off communication of said passage with the central cavity 24 and the suction tube 50. In this position the spring passes between the pins 75 and 76 without being stressed or distorted thereby.

When it is desired to shift the cleaning sides so that the fioor cleaner side, namely the brush element side is moved to cleaning position, the transition being effected by rotating the tool body one-half revolution counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 1, or clockwise as viewed in FIGURES 3-7, it is necessary to orient the valve member 60 to an opposite position in which it will seat against seating surfaces 62 in lower body member 14 and block communication of passage 32 with the central cavity 24. The valve member 60 regardless of its valving position is normally maintained under a condition of bias which makes it necessary when shifting from one to the other position to apply a downward distorting force (as viewed in FIGURE 1) on the leaf spring to overcome the existing bias thereof and move it through and beyond a dead center position thereby bias it in an opposite direction. According to the present invention, this opposite bias is created in the leaf spring automatically by the rotational movement of the tool body, thus insuring that the valve member will automatically and correctly orient itself regardless of which cleaning side is in cleaning position.

The foregoing feature will become more apparent by reference to FIGURES 3-7 of the drawings with concurrent reference being made to FIGURE 1. FIGURE 3 shows the relative positions of the suction tube 50, sleeve 7t), valve member 60 and cleaner tool body 10 when the rug cleaning side is in cleaning position. Assuming that the floor cleaning element is to be moved to the cleaning position, the user first lifts the cleaning tool a short distance above the floor employing the wand member 51 (handle to which suction tube 50 is connected) to that end. To facilitate initiation of rotation of the tool body 10 in the proper direction when shifting cleaning sides, the tool body is provided at one side with a weight 82 which in this instance gives clockwise rotation (as viewed in FIGURES 3-7) to the tool body. The Weight 82 causes the body to rotate aproximately 90 to a vertical position, so that the user can at that point lower the tool to the floor while applying simultaneously a slight rightwardly directed motion with the wand 51 to complete one-half revolution and thus present in a cleaning position the floor cleaning side.

The accompanying effect of the one-half revolution of the tool body10 on the valve member 60 and the valve actuator means associated therewith will now be described. As seen in FIGURE 3, at the beginning or zero degree point of the one-half revolution cycle, the suction tube radial pin 53 is located in a top dead center position. For the purposes of this description and in actual manipulation of the vacuum cleaner tool to shift cleaning sides, the suction tube 50 is not rotated either to the left (counterclockwise) or right (clockwise). Thus, the description herein is given in terms of the actual rotative movement of the sleeve 70 and tool body as well as the valve member 60 with respect to this fixed position of the suction tube 50.

The effects of first 45 of clockwise rotational movement of the tool body 10 is shown in FIGURE 4 from which is noted that everything except the suction tube 50 has turned together. The sleeve member 70 has been rotated 45 in a clockwise direction inasmuch as the movement of the tool body 10 carries the leaf spring 60, which is fixed therein, around with it, the spring in turn causing a corresponding movement of the sleeve inasmuch as the spring is engaged by the pins 75, 76 on the sleeve 70. At the end of the 45 of travel of the sleeve 70, the notch 72 in rib 71 engages the pin 53 on the suction tube 50, as the coil spring 73 normally applies an axially rearwardly directed force against the rib 71. During the first 45 of tool body rotation, the arcuate slot 80 therein is displaced a corresponding distance because it is formed in the body. With the notch 72 of the sleeve shoulder 71 now being engaged by the pin 53 of the suction tube 50 and held in that mating engagement by coil spring 73, additional rotative movement of the sleeve 70 about the suction tube is prevented.

With continued rotation of the tool body 10 a further 45 (a total of 90 from start) to the vertical position shown in FIGURE 5 no further rotation of sleeve 70 occurs because, as above explained notch 72 is engaged by pin 53 on the stationary suction tube 50. However, the arcuate slot 80 of the body moves around another 45 following the body movement and the leaf spring valve member 60 starts to distort against pins 75, 76 into the serpentine shape shown in FIGURE 5, as the pins have not moved.

Further rotation of the cleaner tool body 10 an additional 45 to the position show in FIGURE 6 (a total rotation of 135 from start) carries the arcuate body slot 80 around to the limit of its travel so that the lower or heel end thereof engages against the radial stop pin 77 on the exterior surface of the sleeve 70. During this third segment of 45 travel, the leaf spring valve member 60 has been distorted beyond its dead center and at the completion of this travel is seated against surfaces 62, as shown in FIGURE 6.

During the final 45 of the one-half revolution rotation of the vacuum cleaner tool body 10 to the position shown in FIGURE 7, the sleeve 70 is carried in rotation with the nozzle body by virtue of engagement of the pin 77 with the end of the slot 80. As the sleeve starts to rotate with the body, the pin 53 leaves the slot 72 by displacing the sleeve 70 to the right, as viewed in FIGURE 2 against the force of spring 73. Thus, the suction tube 50 communicates only with the floor cleaning side of the tool operating to suck in the particles of dirt etc. worked loose from the surface being cleaned by the brush elements 16.

It will be clear from the foregoing that the intended direction of rotation of the tool body 10 when moving from a rug cleaning position to hard floor cleaning position has to be clockwise as viewed from the rear, as in FIGURES 3-7, the latter being facilitated by weight 82 to the right of center in the tool body when looking to the front from the rear. On the other hand, when it is desired to go from a hard floor cleaning Side in cleaning position to a rug cleaning side in cleaning position, the tool body 10 must be rotated counterclockwise when looking to the front. The stages of the latter rotation involve referring to FIGURES 3 to 7 in reverse order, the manner of that manipulation now being described.

In changing from a floor cleaning to a rug cleaning side in cleaning position, the user picks up the tool by means of the wand 51 and holds it a distance above the floor. The tool body will be caused to rotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIGURE 7 since the weight 82 is" located at the left side of the tool body. When the tool body swings past of rotation, the user drops the tool body back onto the rug surface being cleaned to complete the one-half revolution.

In the course of this one-half revolution manipulation, the sequence of operation is as follows: during the first 45 of rotation counterclockwise (going from position of FIGURE 7 to that of FIGURE 6) the sleeve 70 ro tates with the body by virtue of the engagement of the pins 75, 76 on the sleeve with the spring valve 60, the pin 53 riding on the smooth face of rib 71. Atthe end of this 45 of travel, the notch 72 in rib 71 of sleeve 70 is engaged by the pin 53 on the suction tube 50, which prevents further rotation of the sleeve 70.

During the next 45 of rotation, the valve spring 60 is distorted by its movement relative to the stationary pins 75,. 76 to the shape shown in FIGURE 5, and slot 80 in the body has moved 45 with respect to pin .77 on stationary sleeve 70. In the third 45 movement of the body to .the position shown in FIGURE 4, the spring valve 60 ,is distorted past dead center and snaps to its position seating against surfaces 61. At the end of :this travel the end of slot 80 strikes pin 77, and further travels through 45' to the position shown in FIGURE 3 cause pin 77 and sleeve 70 to turn with the nozzle body, pin 53 leaving slot 72 by forcing sleeve 70 to the right against spring 73. Thus the parts are returned to their original positions, the rug cleaning side now being in operative position on the floor and passage 22 being closed by valve 60.

When the vacuum cleaner tool of the present invention is inserted beneath low overhead clearance objects such as sofas, desks, tables and the like, the wand 51 can be lowered to a position parallel tothe floor by rotating it to the right as seen in FIGURE 3, thereby rotating the suction tube 50 clockwise relative to the vacuum cleaner tool body which remains stationary on the floor. During this movement the pin 53 slides along the smooth surface of rib 71 on sleeve 70. Preferably a stop 84 extends axially from rib 71 and is spaced approximately from pin 77 in order to prevent tube 50 from being turned more than about 90 from its vertical position. Otherwise, it would be possible to turn the nozzle in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIG- URE 3, without shifting the valve 60, which would be undesirable as the upper nozzle would then be in communication with the elbow.

It is seen from the foregoing that the vacuum cleaner tool of the present invention provides that the valve member therein is operated automatically with the rotation of the tool body between its respective cleaning positions and the proper and automatic orientation thereof is not dependent upon anything other than tool body movement. At the same time the elbow may be turned through 90, thus permitting lowering of the wand to the floor, without affecting the valve movement.

Various other changes and different embodiments of the valve mechanism of the present invention can be made within the principles described and indicated in the foregoing, and it is intended that all matter set out therein or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner tool which includes a suction tube, a body rotatably connected to said suction tube and having a pair of opposed cleaning sides which are brought to a cleaning position alternately by rotating said body one-half revolution, said body having passages extending inwardly therein from each of said cleaning sides and terminating at a central cavity within the body, said central cavity communicating with said suction tube, and a flexible valve member comprising a snap action leaf spring supported in said body arcuately biased in one direction with. a portion thereof extending across the body passage associated with the cleaning side which is in a non-cleaning position thereby to block communication of said one body passage with said central cavity, valve actuator means connectable with said suction tube and engaging said valve member, said valve actuator means being operative by rotation of said body to distort said leaf spring to thereby arcuately bias said leaf spring in an opposite direction and cause a portion thereof to extend across and close said other passage.

2. A vacuum cleaner tool as defined in claim 1 in which said valve actuator means is inoperative to distort said leaf spring in response to rotation of said body through approximately 90 and thereafter being operative to distort said leaf spring in response to further rotation of said body.

3. A vacuum cleaner tool as defined in claim 1 in which said valve actuator means comprises a pair of pins girding said leaf spring, means supporting said pins for travel with said body in a path extending circularly of said axis during a minor portion of the one-half revolution of said body and means for preventing circular travel of said pins during the remainder portion of the one-half revolution rotation of said body, said leaf spring being distorted against the stationary pins to arcuately bias said leaf spring in an opposite direction and cause a portion thereof to extend across said other passage.

4. A vacuum cleaner tool in accordance with claim 3 wherein the means supporting said pair of pins for circular travel comprises a sleeve rotatably mounted on said suction tube and having a flanged face at one end thereof to which said pins are connected.

5. A vacuum cleaner tool in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means for preventing circular travel of said pair of pins comprises a pin carried by said suction tube and extending radially outwardly thereof, said sleeve having a notch in a face at the other end, said notch being engageable with said suction tube pin to prevent said sleeve from rotating around said suction tube.

6. A vacuum cleaner tool in accordance with claim 5 wherein said sleeve is provided with a stop pin disposed in an arcuate slot of approximately 90 extent formed in said body for limiting relative rotation of the sleeve with respect to the body.

7. A vacuum cleaner tool in accordance with claim 5 wherein a coil spring encloses said suction tube, said sleeve having an enlarged inner part receiving said coil spring, said coil spring engaging said sleeve for urging said sleeve axially of said suction tube and maintaining said notch engaged with said suction tube pin.

8. A vacuum cleaner tool in accordance with claim 3 wherein said valve member operates Within said central cavity, said central cavity having seating surfaces at 0pposite sides thereof adjacent each body passage for receiving said valve member.

9. A vacuum cleaner tool in accordance with claim 3 wherein said body is provided with a weight to one side of the axis about which said body rotates, said weight being operable to initiate body rotation in a predetermined direction when the tool is lifting a distance above a surface being cleaned.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,143,845 1/1939 Edstrom 15-417 2,838,783 6/1958 Allen 15417 2,873,469 2/1959 Borkoski 15417 3,048,877 8/1962 Descarries 15417 ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A VACUUM CLEANER TOOL WHICH INCLUDES A SUCTION TUBE, A BODY ROTATABLY CONNECTED TO SAID SUCTION TUBE AND HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSED CLEANING SIDES WHICH ARE BROUGHT TO A CLEANING POSITION ALTERNATELY BY ROTATING SAID BODY ONE-HALF REVOLUTION, SAID BODY HAVING PASSAGES EXTENDING INWARDLY THEREIN FROM EACH OF SAID CLEANING SIDES AND TERMINATING AT A CENTRAL CAVITY WITHIN THE BODY, SAID CENTRAL CAVITY COMMUNICATING WITH SAID SUCTION TUBE, AND A FLEXIBLE VALVE MEMBER COMPRISING A SNAP ACTION LEAF SPRING SUPPORTED IN SAID BODY ARCUATELY BIASED IN ONE DIRECTION WITH A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING ACROSS THE BODY PASSAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CLEANING SIDE WHICH IS IN A NON-CLEANING POSITION THEREBY TO BLOCK COMMUNICATION OF SAID ONE BODY PASSAGE WITH SAID CENTRAL CAVITY, VALVE ACTUATOR MEANS CONNECTABLE WITH SAID SUCTION TUBE AND ENGAGING SAID VALVE MEMBER, SAID VALVE ACTUATOR MEANS BEING OPERATIVE BY ROTATION OF SAID BODY TO DISTORT SAID LEAF SPRING TO THEREBY ARCUATELY BIAS SAID LEAF SPRING IN AN OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND CAUSE A PORTION THEREOF TO EXTEND ACROSS AND CLOSE SAID OTHER PASSAGE.

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