US3381328A

US3381328A - Vacuum cleaner inlet coupling and air regulator

Info

Publication number: US3381328A
Application number: US537062A
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis J Szabo
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1966-03-24
Filing date: 1966-03-24
Publication date: 1968-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 1985-05-07

Description

Maly7,1'9'68v L. J. SZABO 3,381,328

VACUUM CLEANER INLET COUPLING AND AIR REGULATOR Filed March 24, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 3 lllllllllllllh a M w fifty/7g y 7, 1963 L. J. SZABO 3,381,328

VACUUM CLEANER INLET COUPLING AND AIR REGULATOR Filed March 24, 1966 5 heets-Sheet 2 fhre/naf" [00/3 525-60 May 7, 1968 L. J. SZA'BO 3,381,328

VACUUM CLEANER INLET COUPLING AND AIR REGULATOR Filed March 24. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 j o 0 v ,4

i l J [Fix e0 far [aw/s .Szaba @Wy/W United States Patent "ice 3,381,328 VACUUM CLEANER INLET COUPLING AND AIR REGULATOR Louis J. Szaho, Fairview Park, Ohio, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 537,062 Claims. (Cl. -327) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combined air inlet coupling and suction regulator for a vacuum cleaner wherein an inner surface is formed for receiving and gripping a tubular hose coupling. An air regulator ring is provided for selectively controlling an air bypass opening.

This invention relates to a vacuum cleaner and, more particularly, to a construction for coupling a vacuum cleaner hose to a vacuum cleaner and for regulating the amount of suction at a cleaning tool.

In the manufacture of vacuum cleaners, it has been customary to provide an arrangement for coupling a vacuum cleaner hose to a vacuum cleaner casing. It has also been customary to provide an air bypass valve arrangement in order to regulate the amount of suction which is applied at a cleaning tool. With such a bypass valve arrangement, some suction inlet air is permitted to flow directly to the vacuum cleaner fan without flowing through the cleaning tool, thereby reducing the amount of suction at the cleaning tool. In prior art devices, such a bypass valve has been located on the cleaning tool, on a hose leading to the cleaning tool, or on the vacuum cleaner casing spaced some distance from the vacuum cleaner air inlet coupling. A simple low cost arrangement for coupling a vacuum cleaner hose to a vacuum cleaner, and a low cost reliable arrangement for regulating the amount of suction which is applied at a cleaning tool is especially desirable.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a unique combined air inlet coupling and suction regulator construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a suction regulator having a minimum number of parts which may be easily manufactured and assembled.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a combined vacuum cleaner air inlet coupling and suction regulator which is highly effective, reliable, and easy to use.

In accordance with one aspect of my invention, a vacuum cleaner is provided with a casing for enclosing an electric motor and a suction fan. A uniquely formed air intake adapter is positioned on the casing. The adapter includes an inner surface for receiving and gripping a tubular hose coupling to permit suction air to flow through the tubular hose coupling to the suction fan. An opening is formed in the adapter for permitting suction air to bypass the tubular hose coupling, and means is provided for selectively closing the opening in order to control the flow of bypass air. By this arrangement, the unique adapter holds a vacuum cleaner hose coupling and also functions as a suction regulator. Thus, a very simple, yet effective construction is provided for coupling a vacuum cleaner hose to a vacuum cleaner and for regulating the amount of suction which may be applied at a cleaning tool.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will be apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner em 3,381,328 Patented May 7, 1968 bodying my invention with parts shown broken away for purposes of clarity in illustration;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view showing my improved combined coupling and suction regulator;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on the line and in the direction of the arrows 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line and in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line and in the direction of the arrows 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the coupling and suction rgulator shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the adapter shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view partially in cross section of a tubular hose coupling.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a vacuum cleaner embodying my unique combined air inlet coupling and suction regulator 2. As shown, the cleaner includes a casing 4 having generally vertical front, rear and side walls 6, 8 and 10, respectively. A motor fan unit 12 is positioned inside of the casing for causing air to flow through a suction cleaning tool (not shown), through a hose coupling 14, in the air inlet coupling 2, through a filter bag 16, through the motor fan unit 12, and then to exhaust from the casing, as shown by the arrows.

In accordance with my invention, the combined air inlet coupling and suction regulator 2 includes an integral one piece adapter 3, as shown in the left portion of FIG. 6. The adapter is preferably formed of high impact styrene plastic or other suitable material which may be readily molded to include the surfaces, grooves and other portions of the adapter.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 4, adapter 3 includes a generally cylindrical inner wall 18 having a generally cylindrical inner surface 20 for gripping the tubular hose coupling 14. A wall 22 is spaced outwardly from wall 18 in order to provide an air bypass passage 24 between the inner surface 26 of wall 22 and wall 18, and as shown more particularly in FIG. 6, integrally formed

openings

44 and 46 extend through wall 22 to provide inlets for the air bypass passage 24.

A plurality of screw receiving

lugs

28, 30 and 32 are also integrally formed with my unique adapter for connecting the adapter to the front wall 6 of the casing. As shown, the

lugs

28, 30 and 32 are positioned between wall 18 and wall 22 and, thus, also serve to support and connect these walls to each. other. A generally vertical wall 34 extends outwardly from

walls

18 and 22 and a plurality of screw receiving

lugs

36, 38, 40 and 42 are also integrally formed with wall 34 to provide additional means for connecting wall 34 of the adapter 3 to the casing 4.

It is desired that the

air bypass openings

44 and 46 be selectively closed and opened for controlling the amount of air which is permitted to flow through the bypass pas sage 24. In order to achieve this, a readily formed plastic ring 48.is positioned over the outer surface of adapter wall 22, and, as shown more particularly in FIG. 6, the forward portion of the outer wall 22 is generally cylindrical in shape so that it fits the inner surface of the cylindrical ring 48. Adapter 3 also includes an annular circumferential groove 50 which is integrally formed in the forward outer portion of Wall 22. A complementary inwardly extending circumferential projection 52 is integrally formed on an inner surface of ring 48 for rotating within groove 50. As shown in the right portion of FIG. 6, ring 48 is split at 54 so that it may be expanded as it is pushed over the adapter 3 to insert projection 52 within groove 50. With this construction, the ring may be readily rotated with respect to the adapter 3, and the cooperation of projection 52 with groove 50 effectively prevents axial removal of the ring 48 from the adapter 3 while it is being rotated.

As shown in the right portion of FIG. 6, a generally rectangular opening 60 is provided in the air regulator ring. A maximum amount of air bypass is achieved when the rectangular opening 60 in the ring is placed over the enlarged rectangular opening 44 at the left side of the adapter 3. A lesser amount of air is bypassed when the rectangular opening 60 is placed over the smaller rectangular opening 46 in the adapter, and it can also be perceived that no air is bypassed when the enlarged opening 60 i placed over any of the solid cylindrical wall portions of the adapter. Of course, the air which is bypassed does not flow through the suction cleaning tool (not shown) or the tubular hose coupling 14. It flows through opening 60, opening 44 or 46, axially through bypass passage 24 which is located outwardly from coupling 14, to the end of the adapter and the tubular hose coupling 14. The air then flows through the motor fan unit 12 and to exhaust. With this arrangement, it can be seen that the amount of air which is caused to bypass the cleaning tool may be readily regulated by simply rotating air regulator ring 48.

A detent arrangement is provided so that an operator may easily discern when the air regulator ring is placed in any one of the three aforementioned positions. As shown more particularly in FIGS. 4 and 6, three indenrations, 62, 64 and 66, are formed in the outer cylindrical surface of the adapter for cooperation with a projection 68 which extends inwardly from the inner surface of the air regulator ring. Accordingly, when projection 68 is positioned within indentation 62, opening 60 in the air ring is positioned over the opening 46 which is formed in the adapter. In like manner, when projection 68 is positioned within indentation 64, opening 60 in the air ring is positioned over the solid wall portion between

openings

44 and 46, and no air is bypassed.

A tubular hose coupling 14 for insertion within my unique adapter 3 is more particularly shown in FIG. 8. The coupling includes a generally cylindrical tube 70 for reception by the inner surface 20 of wall 18. A slot 72 is provided in the tube for receiving a latch arrangement 74. As shown, the latch includes an integrally formed push button 76 and catch 78 which are mounted on a leaf spring 80. As shown, a rivet 82 or other suitable securing means is provided for connecting a forward portion of the leaf spring to the tube. With this construction, the tubular coupling 14 may be connected within the adapter 3 by simply depressing button 76 and pushing the coupling into the adapter until the outer surface of the coupling is securely gripped by the inner surface 20 of the adapter. With particular reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that when the push button is released, catch 78 is positioned within a recess 84 which is integrally formed at the upper portion of wall 18 in order to securely hold coupling 14 on the adapter 3.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, a member 86 may also be provided for holding the adapter 3 on the vacuum cleaner. The member includes a plurality of screw receiving lugs 88. As shown, screws 90 are inserted through lugs 88, through apertures formed in front wall 6, and into the screw receiving lugs 28, 30 and 32 of the adapter 3 for securely holding the adapter 3 and the member 86 to the front wall 6 of the vacuum cleaner casing. To complete the assembly, screws 94 extend through apertures formed in the front wall 6 of the casing, and into the screw receiving lugs 36, 38, 40 and 42 formed at the corners of the adapter wall 34 in order to securely hold wall 34 in contact with the front wall 4 of the vacuum cleaner casing.

In view of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that my combined air inlet coupling and suction regulator utilizes a minimum number of parts which may be easily formed and assembled to each other. The principal part of this unique combination is a one-piece adapter 3 which is molded to include a number of portions which provide a plurality of functions. Since the adapter 3 also function to provide suction air regulation, the number of part which are usually necessary to achieve an air inlet coupling and a suction regulator have been substantially reduced. It can also be appreciated that the adapter 3 provides a rigid construction for securely holding the tubular hose coupling 14.

One of the additional advantages of this improved construction is that the operator of the vacuum cleaner may readily rotate the air regulator ring 48 to the appropriate bypass control position while the tubular hose coupling 14 is being inserted within the adapter 3.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the air that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the invention and therefore it is aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a casing for housing an electric motor and a suction fan, said casing having a wall;

(b) a tubular hose coupling;

(0) an integrally formed air intake adapter fixed to said casing wall;

((1) a first generally cylindrical inner surface formed on said adapter for receiving and gripping said tubular hose coupling, said tubular hose coupling extending completely through said adapter and said casing wall;

(e) a second inner surface integrally formed on said adapter spaced outwardly from and surrounding said first cylindrical surface to provide a suction air bypass passage between said second surface and said tubular hose coupling;

(f) an opening formed in said adapter for permitting suction air to bypass said hose coupling;

(g) an air regulator ring mounted on said adapter for rotary movement with respect to said adapter; and

(h) an opening formed in said air regulator ring so that said ring may be rotated to permit the opening formed in said ring to register with the opening formed in the air intake adapter to thereby control the amount of bypass air.

2. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a casing for housing an electric motor and a suction fan;

(b) a tubular hose coupling;

(c) an integrally formed air intake adapter positioned on said casing;

(d) a first generally cylindrical inner surface formed on said adapter for receiving and gripping said tubular hose coupling;

(e) a second inner surface integrally formed on said adapter spaced outwardly from said first cylindrical surface to provide a suction air bypass passage between said second surface and said tubular hose coupling;

(g) an air regulator ring mounted on said adapter for rotary movement with respect to said adapter;

(h) an opening formed in said air regulator ring so that said ring may be rotated to permit the opening formed in said ring to register with the opening formed in the air intake adapter to thereby control the amount of bypass air;

(i) a plurality of openings of various sizes formed in said adapter so that said air regulator ring may be rotated to any one of a plurality of positions to permit the opening formed in said ring to register with any one or none of the openings formed in the air intake adapter to thereby control the amount of bypass air; and

(j) a plurality of indentations formed in said adapter, and an inwardly extending projection formed on said ring so that as said ring is rotated said projection may snap into one of said indentations when the opening in said ring registers with one of the openings in said adapter.

3. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a casing for housing an electric motor and a suction fan; (b) a tubular hose coupling;

'(c) an integrally formed air intake adapter positioned on said casing;

(h) an opening formed in said air regulator ring so that said ring may be rotated to permit the opening formed in said ring to register with the opening formed in the air intake adapter to thereby control the amount of bypass air; and

(i) a plurality of screw receiving lugs integrally formed on said adapter between said first and second surfaces for connecting said adapter to said casing.

4. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a casing for housing an electric motor and a suction fan;

(b) a tubular hose coupling;

(c) an integrally formed air intake adapter positioned on said casing;

g) an air regulator ring mounted on said adapter for rotary movement with respect to said adapter;

(i) a recess integrally formed in the first inner surface of said adapter for receiving a latch which is positioned on said tubular hose coupling.

5. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a casing for housing an electric motor and a suction fan, said casing having generally Vertical front, rear and side walls;

(b) a generally cylindrical tubular hose coupling;

(c) an integrally formed plastic air intake adapter positioned on the front wall of said casing;

(d) a generally cylindrical inner surface integrally formed on said adapter for receiving and gripping said tubular hose coupling to permit air to flow through said tubular hose coupling to said suction fan;

(e) a second inner surface integrally formed on said adapter spaced radially outward from said first inner surface to provide a suction air bypass passage between said second inner surface and said tubular hose coupling;

(f) said adapter having a generally cylindrical outer surface;

(g) an opening formed in said adapter extending through said second inner surface and said outer surface;

(h) an annular circumferential groove integrally formed in said generally cylindrical outer surface; (i) a plurality of indentations formed in said outer cylindrical surface;

(j) a generally cylindrical air regulator ring;

(k) said ring including an inwardly extending circumferential projection for insertion within said circumferential groove so that said ring is held in place on said adapter and may be rotated with respect to said cylindrical adapter; and

(l) an opening extending through said air regulator ring whereby said ring may be rotated to permit the opening in said ring to register With the opening in said adapter to thereby permit suction air to flow through the opening in said ring, through the opening in said adapter and through the bypass passage 'between the tubular hose coupling and the second inner surface of said adapter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,071,982 2/1937 Martinet 2857 XR 3,332,101 7/1967 Leinfelt et al l5-421 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 137,078 5/ 1950 Australia.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner.