US3866868A

US3866868A - Vacuum cleaner switch mounting means

Info

Publication number: US3866868A
Application number: US433915A
Authority: US
Inventors: Warren Fish; Arman Sundquist
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp of North America; Whirlpool Floor Care Corp
Priority date: 1974-01-16
Filing date: 1974-01-16
Publication date: 1975-02-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-02-18

Abstract

Structure for mounting an electrical control switch to a wall portion of an electrical appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner. The switch mounting structure utilizes portions carried by the wall means so as to effectively eliminate the need for separate fastening devices while yet securely removably mounts the switch to the electrical appliance wall for facilitated manipulation of the switch.

Description

United States Patent Fish et al. Feb. 18, 1975 VACUUM CLEANER SWITCH MOUNTING 3,366,729 1/1968 Pauza 248/27 x 3,395,297 7/1968 Shifley v l 248/27 X 3,409,858 11/1968 Krehbiel 403/329 X Inventors: Warren Fish, White Bear Lake; 3,639,745 2/1972 Shiki 242/27 x Arman Sundquist, Saint Paul, both of Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz [73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Attorney, Agent, or g g n, 1 Harbor, Mich. Stellman & McCord [22] Filed: Jan. 16, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 433,915 [57] ABSTRACT Structure for mounting an electrical control switch to a wall portion of an electrical appliance, such as a vacg% %Zg i g3 uum cleaner. The switch mounting structure utilizes 2 portions carried by the wall means so as to effectively 0 earc 3 eliminate the need for separate fastening devices while yet securely removably mounts the switch to the elec- References Cited trical appliance wall for facilitated manipulation of the switch. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2 703 2 3/1955 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Meyer 248/27'X 1 VACUUM CLEANER SWITCH MOUNTING MEANS I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to electrical appliances, and in particular to means for mounting an electrical control switch in an electrical appliance.

2. Description of the Prior Art In conventional electrical appliances, such as vacuum cleaners, the electrical apparatus, such as the fan motor of the vacuum cleaner, is selectively controlled by a suitable switch. A large number of different arrangements have been provided heretofore for mounting such switches in such appliances.

In a number of forms of switch mounting means, fastening elements, such as screws, rivets, spring clips, etc., have been utilized for securing the switch in the appliance. Such fastening devices are relatively expensive, requiring separate securing steps inthe assembly procedure.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,215,380 of William J. Morris et al., a mounting apparatus is shown for mounting components of a radio receiver and the like utilizing a resiliently movable strip having wedge-shaped retaining means to provide a snap-on action in securing the radio component to a support member of the radio.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 7 The present invention comprehends an improved means for mounting an electrical control switch to a wall portion of an electrical appliance for selective manipulation of the switch.

The mounting means effectively eliminates the need for separate fastening elements in providing the switch mounting means on the wall portion, and in the illustrated embodiment, in providing the switch retaining means as integral portions of the wall element.

Thus, more specifically, the invention comprehends the provision of such a switch mounting means including a catch carried on the wall defining a forwardly facing latching shoulder, resiliently deflectible presser means carried on the wall spaced from the catch for receiving the switch in a switch'receiving space therebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retained connection with the catch,.and retainer means carried by the presser means for yieldably retaining the switch against movement outwardly from the space transversely to the direction of spacing between the presser means and catch. The switch mounting means further includes means carried by the wall for camming the switch against the retainer means as a result of move-- ment of the switch into the space whereby the presser and retainer means further. yieldably retain the switch against the cam means.

In the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the catch, presser means, and camming means may be formed integrally with the-wall portion of the appliance.

The wall may further define an opening through which may be extended a cylindrical portion of the .switch defining the switch actuator means. A sealing means may be disposed about the cylindrical portion to extend between the switch and the wall about the opening for sealing the switch to the wall. In the illustrated embodiment, this sealing means comprises a pad of foam material which further serves to bias the switch against the catch shoulder for further improved securing of the switch in the mounting means.

The camming means is arranged to guide the cylindrical portion of the switch through the wall opening in the mounting of the switch to the appliance wall.

The catch is disposed to retain the switch against movement as a result of manipulation of the actuating element of the switch for further improved sealed mounting of the switch in the appliance.

The switch mounting means of the present invention is extremely simple and economical of construction while yet providing the highly desirable features discussed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG 1 is a perspective view of a vacuum cleaner provided with a switch mounting means embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation illustrating the mounting of the switch in a portion of the base of the vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the installation of the switch in the mounting means;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective-view similar to that of FIG. 3 but with the switch in the installed position; and I FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 55 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a control switch generally designated 10 is mounted in an electrical appliance 11 by means of a new and improved switch mounting means generally designated 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical appliance comprises a vacuum cleaner with the switch l0'being arranged to control the operation of the suction fan thereof inthe conventional manner. While the invention is illustrated in'conneetion with a vacuum cleaner, as will be obviousto those skilled in the art, the switch mounting means may be utilized in conjunction with a wide range of different electrical devices within the scope of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, vacuum cleaner 11 includes a base 13 defining a'wall portion 14. Mounting means 12 comprisesmeans for mounting switch 10 to the wall portion 14 for facilitated manipulation thereof by a suitable foot pedal l5,'as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The switch mounting means 12, as shown in FIGS.-

3-5, includes a cooperating catch 16, presser l7, and camming means 18. Wall portion 14 further includes a front wall 19 provided with an opening 20 for extension therethrough of a cylindrical portion 21 of switch 10 provided with a manipulatable actuator 22 for selectively operating the switch.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the catch 16, presser l7 and camming means 18 is formed integrally with the wall 14, thus eliminating the need for separate fastening elements in the switchmounting structure. As shown, the catch 16 comprises an L-section element upstanding from a bottom wall portion 23 of wall 1.4 and defines a forwardly facing latching shoulder 24 adapted to engage a rear corner 25 of the control switch in the installed arrangement of the switch as shown in FIG. 4.

Presser 17 comprises a finger upstanding from bottom wall 23 at an angle toward catch 16 and carries at its upper distal end a retainer flange means 26. Finger 17 is resiliently deflectible so as to variably space retainer flange 26 from catch 16 and permit insertion of the switch into the-space 27 between finger 17 and catch 16 rearwardly of wall portion 19. The resiliency of finger 17, as shown in FIG. 4, urges the switch corner into retained association with catch 16 in the mounted arrangement of the switch with retainer flange 26 overlying the top surface 28 of the switch to prevent movement of the switch outwardly from the space 27, i.e., in a direction transversely to the direction of the spacing between finger l7 and catch 16.

Carnming means 18 includes a pair of

camming ramps

29 and 30 spaced apart transversely of space 27 and upstanding from wall 23 intermediate finger l7 and catch 16. The leading portion 31 of the camming ramps is inclined to guide the switch upwardly against the spring finger l7 and retainer flange 26 with the cylindrical portion 21 of the switch being aligned with wall opening 20 to pass through the opening into the installed position of the switch as shown in FIG. 4.

In the installed disposition, presser finger 17 and retainer flange 26 urge the switch 10 not only into retained association with catch 16, but also into retained association on camming ramps 29 and' 30. Opening 20 of front wall portion 19 may have a diameter preselected to retain the cylindrical portion 21 of the switch against substantial lateral movement thereby further effectively positioning and retaining the switch in the switch mounting space 27. As may be best seen with reference to FIG. 4, actuation of the switch by rearward manipulation of the actuator 22 tends to urge the In the illustrated embodiment, a seal 32 may be provided at the front of the switch for sealing the switch to the front wall 19 about opening 20. Illustratively, the seal 32 may comprise a pad of foam material compressed between the switch and the front wall 19 in the installed arrangement of FIG. 4 whereby the pad 32 further biases the switch rearwardly to furthermaintain switch corner 25 in abutment with shoulder 24.

As best seen in FIG. 5, wall portion 14 includes, in addition to front wall 19 and bottom wall 23, a pair of

side walls

33 and 34 outwardly defining the mounting space 27 whereby the space is effectively closed on three sides as well as on the front.

As indicated above, by forming the elements of the mounting means 12 as integral portions of the wall 14, an extremely simple and economical switch mounting means is obtained, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and the like while yet effectively positively securing the switch in theelectrical appliance. As indicated above, the switch is installed simply by urging the switch forwardly over the camming means 18 to pass actuator 22 and cylindrical portion 21 through front wall opening 20 until rear'corner 25 of the switch snaps past shoulder 24 of catch 16 and is urged into retained association therewith by the cooperative action of the spring presser finger l4, retainer flange 26, and foam pad 32.

To remove the switch 10 as for replacement or servicing when desired, the user need merely urge the switch against the biasing action of the presser finger 17 to clear corner 25 from engagement with catch 16 and effect rearward movement of the switch over the camming means 18 to the disassembled arrangement of FIG. 3.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

Having described the invention, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an electrical appliance having a portion defining a wall, means for mounting an electrical control switch to said wall for selective manipulation of the switch, comprising:

a catch carried on said wall defining a forwardly facing latching shoulder;

resiliently deflectible presser means carried on said wall spaced from said catch for receiving said switch in a switch receiving space therebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retained association with said catch;

retainer means carried by said presser means for yieldably retaining the switch against movement outwardly from said space transversely to the direction of spacing between said presser means and catch; and

means carried by said wall for camming the switch against the retainer means as a result of movement of said switch into said space whereby said presser and retainer means further yieldably retain said switch against said cam means.

2. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said wall further defines an opening and said switch includes a cylindrical portion projecting through said opening when the switch is disposed in said space and cooperating with said retainer means for retaining the switch against said movement transversely outwardly- 4. The switchlmounting means of claim 1 wherein said catch is formed integral with said wall.

5. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said camming means is formed integral with said wall.

6. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said camming means comprises a pair of spaced ramps.

7. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said catch comprises an L-section element engaging a corner of said switch.

8. In an electrical appliance having a portion defining a wall, means for mounting an electricalcontrol switch to said wall for selective manipulation of the switch,

comprising:

a catch carried on said wall defining a forwardly facing latching shoulder;

resiliently deflectible presser means carried on said wall spaced from said catch for receiving said switch in a switch receiving'space therebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retained connection with said catch;

retainer means carried by said presser means for yieldably retaining the switch against movement outwardly from said space transversely to the direction of spacing between said presser means and catch;

means carried by said wall for camming the switch against the retainer means as a result of movement of said switch into said space whereby said presser and retainer means further yieldably retain said switch against said cam means;

means on said wall defining an opening, said switch including a cylindrical portion projecting through said opening when the switch is disposed in said space and cooperating with said retainer means for retaining the switch against said movement transversely outwardly from said space.

9. The switch mounting means of claim 8 including sealing means formed of a resilient compressible material disposed about said cylindrical portion of the switch and abutting said wall about said opening for sealing the switch to said wall.

10. The switch mounting means of claim 9 wherein said resilient sealing means comprises a pad of foam material and further biases the switch against said catch 11. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said cylindrical portion includes an actuating element manipulatable toward said opening, said catch being disposed to retain said switch against movement as a result of manipulation of said actuating element.

12. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said cammingmeans further define means for guiding said cylindrical portion of the switch through said opening during movement of said switch into said space.

13. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said wall includes angularly related portions enclosing said space on at least three sides.

14. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said catch, presser means, and camming means are formed integrally with said wall.

Claims

1. In an electrical appliance having a portion defining a wall, means for mounting an electrical control switch to said wall for selective manipulation of the switch, comprising: a catch carried on said wall defining a forwardly facing latching shoulder; resiliently deflectible presser means carried on said wall spaced from said catch for receiving said switch in a switch receiving space therebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retained association with said catch; retainer means carried by said presser means for yieldably retaining the switch against movement outwardly from said space transversely to the direction of spacing between said presser means and catch; and means carried by said wall for camming the switch against the retainer means as a result of movement of said switch into said space whereby said presser and retainer means further yieldably retain said switch against said cam means.

2. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said wall further defines an opening and said switch includes a cylindrical portion projecting through said opening when the switch is disposed in said space and cooperating with said retainer means for retaining the switch against said movement transversely outwardly from said space.

3. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said presser means comprises a finger integral with said wall.

4. The switch mounting means of claim 1 wherein said catch is formed integral with said wall.

8. In an electrical appliance having a portion defining a wall, means for mounting an electrical control switch to said wall for selective manipulation of the switch, comprising: a catch carried on said wall defining a forwardly facing latching shoulder; resiliently deflectible presser means carried on said wall spaced from said catch for receiving said switch in a switch receiving space therebetween and resiliently urging the switch into retained connection with said catch; retainer means carried by said presser means for yieldably retaining the switch against movement outwardly from said space transversely to the direction of spacing between said presser means and catch; means carried by said wall for camming the switch against the retainer means as a result of movement of said switch into said space whereby said presser and retainer means further yieldably retain said switch against said cam means; means on said wall defining an opening, said switch including a cylindrical portion projecting through said opening when the switch is disposed in said space and cooperating with said retainer means for retaining the switch against said movement transversely outwardly from said space.

10. The switch mounting means of claim 9 wherein said resilient sealing means comprises a pad of foam material and further biases the switch against said catch.

11. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said cylindrical portion includes an actuating element manipulatable toward said opening, said catch being disposed to retain said switch against movement as a result of manipulation of said actuating element.

12. The switch mounting means of claim 8 wherein said camming means further define means for guiding said cylindrical portion of the switch through said opening during movement of said switch into said space.