U.S. patent application number 09/842548 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-21 for multi-use floor tool.
This patent application is currently assigned to EMERSON ELECTRIC COMPANY. Invention is credited to Martin, Michael F., Young, Jeffrey L..
Application Number | 20020020036 09/842548 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22955782 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020020036 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin, Michael F. ; et
al. |
February 21, 2002 |
Multi-use floor tool
Abstract
A multi-use floor tool, with which the same nozzle can be used
in both dry and wet vacuum operation, and which allows for both wet
and dry cleaning attachments to be easily attached and removed is
disclosed. One such cleaning attachment for dry operation is a
bristle brush which, when attached to the nozzle, is able to
rotate, such that debris is collected with both the push and pull
cleaning motions and such that for each motion, air flows primarily
through the side of the nozzle at which debris is being gathered.
The attachment for wet operation is a squeegee, which is rigidly
attached to the nozzle having an insert which reduces the area of
air flow into the nozzle and thereby increases the effectiveness of
wet cleaning. This design increases the effectiveness of both wet
and dry operation, and allows the operator to effectively clean in
both wet and dry conditions while using the same nozzle.
Inventors: |
Martin, Michael F.; (St.
Charles, MO) ; Young, Jeffrey L.; (St. Peters,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Scott J. Garber, Esq.
HOWREY SIMON ARNOLD & WHITE, LLP
750 Bering Drive
Houston
TX
77057-2198
US
|
Assignee: |
EMERSON ELECTRIC COMPANY
|
Family ID: |
22955782 |
Appl. No.: |
09/842548 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09842548 |
Apr 25, 2001 |
|
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09252382 |
Feb 18, 1999 |
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6279198 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/393 ;
15/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/06 20130101; A47L
9/0673 20130101; A47L 9/0613 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/393 ;
15/400 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A floor tool comprising: a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled
to a vacuum device, the nozzle housing defining an air flow
passage; a cleaning attachment; and at least one snap affixed
inside of said housing, the snap adapted to receive the cleaning
attachment to removably affix the cleaning attachment to the
housing.
2. The floor tool of claim 1, said snap comprising a plurality of
extensions such that the head of a cleaning attachment can be
inserted between said extensions and affixed thereby to the
housing.
3. The floor tool of claim 1, said cleaning attachment further
comprising: a head; and a cleaning element attached to the head,
the cleaning element sized such that when the head is attached to
the nozzle, at least a portion of the cleaning element extends from
the bottom of said housing.
4. The floor tool of claim 1, said cleaning attachment comprising a
brush having a brush head and a plurality of bristles affixed to
the head and sized such that, when attached to the latch, at least
a portion of said bristles extend out of the head, said brush head
able to be rotatably attached to said latch such that said cleaning
attachment is able to rotate around the longitudinal axis of said
brush head.
5. The floor tool of claim 1, said cleaning attachment comprising a
squeegee having a squeegee head with a squeegee body attached to
the head and sized such that when attached to the latch, at least a
portion of said body extends out of said head, said cleaning
assembly able to be attached to said snap.
6. The floor tool of claim 5, said squeegee body being resiliently
flexible.
7. The floor tool of claim 5, said cleaning attachment further
comprising a nozzle insert, having an inner opening, said nozzle
insert able to be attached to the bottom of said nozzle housing
such that said squeegee body fits laterally through said inner
opening, said inner opening being smaller in cross-sectional area
than the bottom surface area of said nozzle housing.
8. A floor tool comprising: a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled
to a vacuum device; at least one snap affixed inside of said
housing; and a cleaning attachment adapted to be attached to and
removed from said snap.
9. The floor tool of claim 8, said cleaning attachment further
comprising a head adapted to be detachably affixed to said snaps,
and a cleaning element affixed to said head.
10. The floor tool of claim 9, said cleaning element comprising a
brush, said head adapted to rotate around its longitudinal axis
when attached to said snaps.
11. The floor tool of claim 10, said brush comprising a plurality
of bristles, said bristles being attached to a brush head.
12. The floor tool of claim 9, wherein said cleaning attachment
comprises a squeegee head adapted to be attached to said snaps, and
a squeegee body attached to said squeegee head.
13. The floor tool of claim 12, said cleaning attachment further
comprising a nozzle insert having an inner opening, which can be
attached to said nozzle housing having a smaller surface area than
the bottom surface area of said nozzle housing.
14. The floor tool of claim 13, wherein said nozzle insert is
substantially the same shape as the bottom opening of the nozzle
housing and said inner opening is shaped such that said squeegee
body is able to fit perpendicularly through said inner opening.
15. The floor tool of claim 14, wherein said insert further
comprises a plurality of tabs along its outside edges and housing
further comprises a plurality of recesses along its inner sides
corresponding to said tabs, such that said insert can be rigidly
affixed to said recesses on the inside surface of said nozzle
housing.
16. The floor tool of claim 8, said snap being attached to the
inside of said housing substantially on said housing's longitudinal
center.
17. The floor tool of claim 8, said snap comprising a plurality of
flexible extensions.
18. A floor tool comprising: a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled
to a vacuum device; a retention means affixed inside of said
housing; and a cleaning attachment adapted to be attached to and
removed from said retention means.
19. A vacuum comprising: a tub; a suction means attached to said
tub; a hose attached to said suction means; a nozzle adapted to be
coupled to said hose, the nozzle housing defining an air flow
passage; a cleaning attachment; and at least one snap affixed
inside of said housing, the snap adapted to receive the cleaning
attachment to removably affix the cleaning attachment to the
housing.
20. The vacuum of claim 19, said snap comprising a plurality of
extensions such that the head of a cleaning attachment can be
inserted between said extensions and affixed thereby to the
housing.
21. The vacuum of claim 19, said cleaning attachment further
comprising: a head; and a cleaning element attached to the
head.
22. The vacuum of claim 19, said cleaning attachment comprising a
brush having a brush head and a plurality of bristles affixed to
the head and sized such that, when attached to the snap, at least a
portion of said bristles extend out of the head, said brush head
able to be rotatably attached to said snap such that said cleaning
attachment is able to rotate around the longitudinal axis of said
brush head.
23. The vacuum of claim 19, said cleaning attachment comprising a
squeegee having a squeegee head with a squeegee body attached to
the head and sized such that when attached to the snap, at least a
portion of said body extends out of said head, said cleaning
assembly adapted to be attached to said snap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a multi-use floor
tool and, more particularly, to a vacuum nozzle and attachments
which can be utilized for both wet and dry operation.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] With the advent of the wet/dry vacuum, consumers became able
to clean a multitude of areas of their home or business, and
multiple types of both wet and dry debris by using only one device.
This technology thus allowed consumers to clean both wet and dry
areas, without having to purchase separate machines. However, in
most wet/dry cleaning operations, in order for an operator to
transfer from wet to dry operation of a vacuum, the operator had to
switch nozzles, for example, from a bristle-brush nozzle to a
squeegee nozzle, in order to get the most effective cleaning
results. This resulted in a numerous amount of parts which had to
be manufactured, bought and stored.
[0005] For dry operation, many wet/dry vac nozzles have a bristle
strip positioned just behind the brush nozzle's inlet. This results
in the bristle only being effective in sweeping debris during the
forward cleaning stroke, rather than the backward stroke as well.
Other types of brush nozzles had only a formed brush surrounding
the bottom portion of the nozzle. In many cases, this brush was
trimmed only on one side, which allowed the brush to effectively
pick up debris only when moved in one direction. Other brush
nozzles had reliefs cut around the perimeter of the brush which
allowed for debris pickup in both sweeping directions, but these
designs did not redirect full air flow to the side of the brush
accumulating debris.
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a single nozzle assembly that
can be effectively used during both wet and dry operation and that
can be easily transferred between wet and dry operational modes.
There is also a need for a vacuum brush nozzle, in dry operation,
which can effectively pick up debris during both the forward and
backward strokes, by redirecting the full air flow of the nozzle to
the particular side of the brush accumulating debris at the
time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed toward a multi-use floor
tool that addresses at least some of the needs as expressed above.
It includes a nozzle housing adapted to be coupled to a vacuum
device, and designed to receive various cleaning attachments which
can be easily attached and removed. The nozzle housing can also be
used for cleaning without any attachments inserted. The present
invention also includes a vacuum assembly having such attachments
and features.
[0008] One cleaning attachment is a brush attachment for dry
operation, having a brush head which can quickly and easily be
attached to and detached from the nozzle housing and a plurality of
bristles that protrude from the brush head. Another such cleaning
attachment is a squeegee attachment for wet operation, having a
squeegee head which can quickly and easily be attached to and
detached from the nozzle housing, and a squeegee body that
protrudes from the squeegee head. A nozzle insert can be used with
the squeegee attachment. This nozzle insert latches onto the bottom
of the nozzle housing and has the effect of reducing the surface
area of air flow into the nozzle housing and thereby increasing the
effectiveness of wet suction. The above-referenced cleaning
attachments should also be of a sufficient length that they
protrude slightly from the bottom of the housing when attached, so
as to effectively engage the floor or other surface during cleaning
operation.
[0009] The nozzle housing is able to be attached to a vacuum device
and contains openings on its bottom and top such that air is
allowed to flow through the nozzle housing when the vacuum is
operating. It also comprises a latching means such that the head of
a cleaning attachment can be easily attached and removed such that
the same nozzle housing can be used with various cleaning
attachments during wet and dry operation. The nozzle can also
contain a plurality of recesses inside of its bottom opening such
that it can receive a nozzle insert effectively reducing the open
surface area of the bottom opening.
[0010] The brush attachment consists of a brush head having a
plurality of bristles attached to and laterally protruding from the
brush head. These bristles, when the attachment is attached to the
nozzle housing, should protrude out of the bottom of the nozzle
housing so as to contact the surface being cleaned. The brush head
is rotatably attached to the snap inside the nozzle housing such
that the brush attachment, when pushed or pulled, can rotate around
its longitudinal axis. This rotation is blocked when the bristles
of the attachment come into contact with a bottom side of the
nozzle. This allows the nozzle to be effective during both the push
and pull cleaning motions, and forces the vacuum's suction to flow
through the side of the nozzle that is collecting debris during
that motion.
[0011] The squeegee attachment is comprised of a squeegee head
which can be attached to the snap in the nozzle head, and has a
resiliently flexible squeegee body which laterally protrudes from
the squeegee head. When the squeegee attachment is connected to the
nozzle housing, the squeegee body should slightly protrude out of
the bottom of the nozzle housing so as to contact the surface being
cleaned. The squeegee attachment can also consist of a nozzle
insert which has an elongate hole in its center. The squeegee body
protrudes through this hole when the squeegee insert is attached to
the bottom of the nozzle housing. The nozzle insert fits inside of
the bottom of the nozzle, and snaps into place using tabs on the
outside of the insert, which fit into corresponding recesses inside
of the nozzle housing. The nozzle insert has the effect of
decreasing the area of air flow through the bottom of the nozzle
and thereby increasing the effectiveness of wet operation.
[0012] The net result of this disclosure is a multi-use floor tool
which is effective for both wet and dry vacuum operation and which
can be used in either wet or dry mode without having to replace the
entire nozzle housing, merely a cleaning attachment. Therefore, one
object of the invention is to allow either wet or dry operation of
a vacuum device while utilizing the same nozzle housing. This
results in lower manufacturing costs, as well as ease to consumers
because they do not have to purchase different nozzles for each
mode of operation, and can quickly and easily switch from wet to
dry operation.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide more effective
cleaning operation in dry mode by allowing the vacuum to
effectively pick up debris during both the push and pull strokes of
the cleaning motion. It is also allows the user to utilize the full
air flow of the vacuum during either of these motions by attaching
the brush assembly to the nozzle housing, and allowing the brush to
rotate with each push and pull motion, thereby restricting air flow
through the nozzle to the side of the brush that is collecting
debris during that particular motion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are hereinafter set forth and explained with reference to
the drawings, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the nozzle housing with
no attachment inserted.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle housing
with no attachment inserted.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the nozzle housing
with no attachment inserted.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the
brush attachment.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of
the brush attachment.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front partial cutaway view of the nozzle housing
in dry mode, showing the brush assembly inserted into the nozzle
housing.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle in dry
mode showing the brush attachment as inserted into the nozzle
housing.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the squeegee
attachment.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle insert.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle
insert.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front partial cutaway view of the nozzle
housing in wet mode, showing both the squeegee attachment and
nozzle insert attached to the nozzle housing.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view of the nozzle in wet
mode showing both the squeegee attachment and nozzle insert
attached to the nozzle housing.
[0027] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle housing in wet
mode, showing the nozzle insert attached to the nozzle housing.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a vacuum assembly
incorporating the invention, as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described
below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual
implementation are described in this specification. It will of
course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual
embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made
to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with
system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary
from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be
appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure.
[0030] In FIG. 1, a nozzle housing 2 for a multi-use floor tool, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is
generally indicated, comprising a nozzle head 4 that is able to
attach to a vacuum or suction device (not shown), and having
attached at its other end an elongated nozzle body 6. These
components may be made up of a metal or polymer material. Nozzle
housing 2 has an open bottom surface area 8 such that air and other
materials can travel through nozzle housing 2 and into the suction
device. In one embodiment, nozzle housing 2 has a length and width
of its bottom surface 8 such that its bottom surface area is larger
than that of top opening 5 of nozzle head 4. For example, the
bottom opening 8 may be 10 inches in length and 0.7 inches in
width. An embodiment of nozzle housing 2 also comprises a lip 10 at
the bottom of each of its longitudinal ends.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, nozzle housing 2 comprises a snap 12
connected to said housing 2. An embodiment of snap 12 comprises a
plurality flexible extensions 14 shaped such that the head of a
cleaning attachment (not shown) can be easily attached to and
removed from the nozzle housing 2. Snap 12 is preferably comprised
of two resiliently flexible extensions 14 attached to the inside
top of the nozzle body 6. However, other configurations can be
utilized which allow a cleaning attachment to be connected to and
removed from said housing. Thus, attachment and removal of cleaning
attachments can be achieved by pushing the head of said cleaning
attachment through the opening provided between the two
extensions.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, nozzle housing 2 also comprises an
opening 16 such that air flows into the bottom 8 of nozzle body 6,
into said nozzle head 4 through opening 16, and into a suction
device. An embodiment of nozzle body 6 also comprises a plurality
of recesses 18 set into the inner sides 20 of nozzle body 6 such
that a cleaning attachment can be snapped into and out of body 6
through the bottom 8 of the nozzle housing.
[0033] FIG. 4 shows a brush attachment 24 which is comprised of a
brush head 26 and a plurality of bristles 28. Brush head 26 has a
length shorter than the length of bottom 8 of the nozzle housing 2,
such that said brush attachment 24 can easily fit into said nozzle
body 6. As shown in FIG. 5, attachment 24 may be made up of a
plurality of bristles 28 which are wrapped around a centering piece
30 and held together by an elongated brush head 26. Brush head 26
is preferably made up of a solid material such as a polymer or
metal, and is of a size such that it can easily be attached to and
removed from snap 12.
[0034] An embodiment of a multi-use floor tool configured as a dry
nozzle assembly 34 is shown in FIG. 6, with brush head 26 inserted
into snap 12 such that air flow is allowed around said brush
attachment 24 and through said dry nozzle assembly 34, and
preferably such that said bristles 28 protrude slightly out of the
bottom of nozzle body 6.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, dry nozzle assembly 34 is comprised of
nozzle housing 2 having said brush attachment 24 attached to it by
said snap 12. Brush attachment 24 is preferably affixed to snap 12
in such a way that brush head 26 can rotate within snap 12, around
its own longitudinal axis. Such rotation is promoted by pushing or
pulling said dry nozzle assembly 34 across the surface to be
cleaned, which correspondingly rotates brush attachment 24 until
bristles 28 touch the sides 36 of the bottom of the nozzle housing.
When in this position, the full amount of air flow is allowed
through the open part of nozzle bottom 8, and the opposite side is
correspondingly blocked. The rotation of brush attachment 24 inside
of nozzle housing 2 thus allows for cleaning using the full amount
of air flow during both the push and pull cleaning motions.
[0036] Shown in FIG. 8 is squeegee attachment 40, primarily used
for wet operation. Squeegee attachment 40 is comprised of a
squeegee head 42, with a squeegee body 44 protruding laterally from
head 42. Squeegee attachment 40 has a length and width shorter than
bottom 8 of said nozzle housing, such that the squeegee attachment
40 can easily fit into the bottom 8 of said nozzle housing.
Squeegee attachment 40 may be suitably constructed of a rubber or
polymer composition. Squeegee head 42 should also have a size such
that it can be easily inserted and removed from snap 12. One such
preferred shape of squeegee head 42 has a square cross-section with
grooves 46 longitudinally placed along its sides, as shown in FIG.
8. Squeegee body 44 preferably has a length such that when
attached, it protrudes from the bottom 8 of said nozzle housing so
as to contact the surface being cleaned. It is also preferably
constructed from a rubber or polymer composition which is
resiliently flexible such that, during cleaning operation, squeegee
body 44 is allowed to bend slightly when dragged against the
surface being cleaned.
[0037] When optimum wet operation is desired, a nozzle insert 50
(seen in FIGS. 9 and 10) is preferably attached to the bottom of
nozzle body 6, as shown in FIG. 11. Nozzle insert 50 preferably is
shaped such that it can fit easily into the bottom 8 of nozzle
housing 2 but should be substantially the same shape as the nozzle
housing's bottom opening 8 for most effective use. Nozzle insert 50
is preferably constructed of polymer material, and, in one
embodiment shown in FIG. 9, comprises a plurality of tabs 52 along
its outer edges. These tabs 52 correspond to recesses 18 inside of
nozzle body 6 such that nozzle insert 50 can be attached to nozzle
body 6 by snapping it into place. As an alternative embodiment,
nozzle insert 50 can be formed to surround the bottom of nozzle
housing 2 such that it fits snugly around and attaches to the
nozzle housing without the use of tabs and recesses.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, nozzle insert 50 also contains
an inner opening 54 through which air and other materials can pass.
This inner opening 54 is bounded by an inner insert frame 56 upon
which is preferably a plurality of lateral ridges 58. Opening 54
has a length and width satisfactory to allow squeegee body 44 to
fit laterally through the inner opening 54 and preferably such that
ridges 58 contact squeegee body 44. An embodiment of nozzle insert
50 is shown in FIG. 10, which demonstrates a preferred
cross-sectional shape of the nozzle insert 50. When nozzle insert
50 is inserted into the nozzle housing 6, it provides the function
of reducing the surface area through which materials can flow, and
increasing suction pressure, resulting in more efficient suction of
wet materials.
[0039] The multi-use floor tool configured as wet nozzle assembly
62, shown in FIG. 11, comprises nozzle housing 2 with both the
squeegee attachment 40 and nozzle insert 50 attached to the nozzle
housing. The squeegee head 42 is attached to the nozzle body 6 by
snap 12. Nozzle insert 50 is also attached inside the bottom 8 of
nozzle body 6.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 12, squeegee body 44 preferably protrudes
slightly from the bottom 8 of nozzle housing 2. The area of bottom
opening 8 is also effectively reduced such that air and other
materials are able to pass only through inner opening 54 of the
insert nozzle 50. The effectiveness of wet suction can thereby be
increased. Also, squeegee body 44 is preferably able to bend
resiliently in order to more effectively promote the clean-up of
wet materials.
[0041] FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of nozzle insert 50 held inside
nozzle body 6 by the plurality of tabs 52 along its sides. Said
flaps correspond to the plurality of recesses 18 on the inside of
the nozzle body 6.
[0042] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention employed on a vacuum 60. As will be appreciated
by one skilled in the art with the benefit of this disclosure, the
multi-use floor tool can be utilized on any such application. As
shown in FIG. 14, vacuum 60 comprises a collection tub 62 having a
lid 63 and a powerhead assembly 64. The collection tub 62 and the
lid 63 are preferably made of injection-molded plastic, such as
polypropylene or the like, in accordance with conventional
practice.
[0043] In accordance with conventional designs, an air inlet port
65 is defined in the lid 63 or, alternatively, may be defined in a
side wall of the collection tub 62. The powerhead assembly 64
houses a motor and impeller assembly, and has defined therein an
air exhaust or outlet port 66. The powerhead assembly 64 is
operable to create a suction within the collection tub 62, such
that debris and/or liquid is drawn in to the collection tub 62
through the hose 67, which is attached to the inlet port 65.
Multi-use floor tool (not shown) may be attached to hose 67 at an
end opposite that attached to inlet port 65.
[0044] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art
having the benefit of this disclosure, that the multi-use floor
tool provides distinct advantages over previous floor tools, such
advantages including the following:
[0045] (a) The multi-use floor tool allows a vacuum operator to
effectively perform both wet and dry cleaning using a single
nozzle. The operator is able to easily attach and detach wet and
dry cleaning attachments, depending on what type of use is desired,
or to clean using the nozzle alone, with no attachments.
[0046] (b) The multi-use floor tool also provides increased
effectiveness of dry vacuum operation by allowing full air-flow
operation during both the push and pull cleaning motions. The brush
attachment is allowed to rotate with each push and pull motion such
that as the nozzle is moved along a cleaning surface, airflow is
redirected to the side in which debris is being collected during
that motion.
[0047] The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry
out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as
well as others inherent therein. While presently preferred
inventions have been given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous
changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and are
encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *