U.S. patent application number 10/072713 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-07 for multi-function vacuum cleaner accessory.
Invention is credited to Fernandez-Grandizo Martinez, Jesus.
Application Number | 20030145425 10/072713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27659543 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030145425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fernandez-Grandizo Martinez,
Jesus |
August 7, 2003 |
Multi-function vacuum cleaner accessory
Abstract
A multiple-function cleaning accessory for a vacuum cleaner
including a nozzle and a cleaning element incorporating a squeegee
and a brush. The cleaning element may be oriented and removably
secured to the nozzle such that either a brush member or a squeegee
member extends form an opening in the nozzle for contacting a
working surface. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to
comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a
searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of
the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding
that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning
of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
Inventors: |
Fernandez-Grandizo Martinez,
Jesus; (Mexico City, MX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILDMAN, HARROLD, ALLEN & DIXON
225 WEST WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
27659543 |
Appl. No.: |
10/072713 |
Filed: |
February 7, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/393 ; 15/400;
15/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/0673 20130101;
A47L 9/0613 20130101; A47L 9/06 20130101; A47L 9/066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/393 ; 15/400;
15/401 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/06 |
Claims
1. A multiple-function vacuum cleaner accessory comprising: a
nozzle defining an opening, and; a cleaning element including a
brush member and a squeegee member, the cleaning element being
removably secured to the nozzle such that one of the brush member
and the squeegee member extends out of the opening, and the other
of the brush member and the squeegee member extends within the
nozzle.
2. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 1 wherein the brush member
projects from a first side of the cleaning element and the squeegee
member projects from a second side of the cleaning element.
3. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 1 wherein the brush member
extends along substantially an entire length of the cleaning
element.
4. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 1 wherein the squeegee
member extends along substantially an entire length of the cleaning
element.
5. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 1 wherein the brush member
and the squeegee member project from the cleaning element in
substantially opposite directions.
6. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 1 further including an
elbow member projecting from the nozzle for pivotally connecting
the nozzle to a vacuum cleaner assembly.
7. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 1 wherein the nozzle
further includes a cantilevered detent member extending from the
nozzle and the cleaning member further includes a latch member
engaged with the detent member to removably secure the cleaning
member to the nozzle.
8. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 7 wherein the nozzle
further includes a plurality of cantilevered detent members
extending from the body and the cleaning member further includes a
plurality of latch members, each of the plurality of latch members
being engaged with a corresponding one of the detent members to
removably secure the cleaning member to the nozzle body.
9. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 8 wherein the detent
member extends from an outer wall of the nozzle.
10. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 11 wherein the outer wall
includes a slot formed therein and the detent member projects into
the slot.
11. The vacuum cleaner accessory of claim 12 wherein a free end of
the detent member is recessed from an edge of the outer wall.
12. A cleaning element for removable securement to a nozzle of a
vacuum cleaner assembly comprising: a brush member; and a squeegee
member coupled to the brush member, wherein one of the brush member
and the squeegee member is positionable for engagement with a
working surface with the cleaning element secured to the
nozzle.
13. The cleaning element of claim 14 further including a plurality
of latch members for removably securing the cleaning element to the
nozzle.
14. The cleaning element of claim 14 wherein the brush member
extends along substantially an entire length of the cleaning
element.
15. The cleaning element of claim 14 wherein the squeegee member
extends along substantially an entire length of the cleaning
element.
16. The cleaning element of claim 14 wherein the squeegee member is
coupled to the brush member such that the squeegee member projects
in a substantially opposite direction from the brush member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] With the advent of the wet/dry vacuum, consumers are 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.
[0002] The requirements for cleaning elements used in cleaning hard
surfaces, such as linoleum tile or hard wood floors, differ
significantly from the requirements for cleaning elements used on
soft surfaces, such as carpet or upholstery. Similarly, different
cleaning elements are needed for dry suction cleaning operations
than for wet cleaning operations. Thus, wet/dry vacuum cleaners
employ various types of nozzle-mounted cleaning elements for
cleaning various types of working surfaces.
[0003] Several methods have been developed to enable changeover
between different cleaning elements for use on different types of
working surfaces. One method of enabling changing of the cleaning
elements involves mounting the cleaning elements on a rotatable
nozzle as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,867,835,
4,864,681 and 5,060,342. The nozzle may then be rotatably indexed
until the desired cleaning element is oriented to engage the
working surface. A drawback of these rotatable indexing mechanisms
is that they are relatively bulky, expensive and complicated.
[0004] Other vacuum cleaner nozzles have been configured for the
mounting of different types of cleaning elements thereto, as shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,198. However, the different cleaning
elements are frequently incorporated into separate parts, thereby
increasing the number of components that must be produced and
stored for use. Also, a separate piece, or "adapter", may be
required to enable mounting of one or more of the cleaning elements
to the nozzle.
[0005] In view of the above, there is a need for a simple
multi-function vacuum cleaner accessory which is easily adaptable
for cleaning a variety of working surfaces such as bare floors or
carpets, and also for picking up liquids from a working
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In the drawings illustrating embodiments of the present
invention:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of the vacuum cleaner
accessory of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the vacuum
cleaner accessory of FIG. 1, showing the cleaning element detached
from the nozzle;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the vacuum cleaner
accessory along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the cleaning element
removably secured to the nozzle;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3 showing
the cleaning element removably secured to the nozzle and oriented
such that the brush member is engageable with a working
surface;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3 showing
the cleaning element removably secured to the nozzle and oriented
such that the squeegee member is engageable with a working
surface;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the vacuum cleaner accessory of
FIG. 1 without the cleaning element;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum cleaner accessory
of FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the cleaning element which
is shown detached from the nozzle in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Before proceeding, it should be understood that such terms
as "left", "right", "top", "bottom", etc., have been used herein
and in the claims to facilitate a concise description and to better
understand the invention. Such terms are not intended in any way to
be limiting, because the vacuum cleaner accessory described below
may be oriented as required to operate on working surface having a
variety of orientations.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, multiple-function vacuum cleaner
accessory 20 comprises a nozzle 22 and a cleaning element 100.
Nozzle 22 is configured for movement along a working surface (not
shown), for example a bare floor or a carpeted floor, for cleaning
the surface when in contact with the working surface. Nozzle 22 is
generally rectangular and includes a front outer wall 24, a rear
outer wall 26 and a pair of opposed side outer walls 28 joined at
their respective ends and terminating in a bottom edge 30 to define
an opening 32 leading into a suction chamber 34 at a first end 36
of the nozzle 22. Nozzle 22 tapers down from opening 32 at first
end 36 toward a second end 38 of the nozzle 22 having a reduced
cross-sectional area and terminating in an orifice 40 configured
for attachment to a vacuum cleaner assembly. An elbow member 42 may
be attached to a second end 38 of the nozzle 22 to enable
connection of the 20 nozzle 22 to the vacuum cleaner assembly.
Alternatively, nozzle second end 38 may be directly connected to a
wand or other portion of the vacuum cleaner assembly.
[0017] A series of wall portions 44 are formed in a lower portion
of opening 32 along front outer wall 24 to define a series of
airflow passages 46 (see FIG. 7) extending between the exterior of
the nozzle 22 and suction chamber 34. Lower surfaces 48 of wall
portions 44 form portions of bottom edge 30. A plurality of
positioning ribs 60 project from an interior surface of the front
outer wall 24 into suction chamber 34. One or more surfaces of
cleaning element 100 abut ribs 60 when the cleaning element 100 is
removably secured to nozzle 22.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 6, rear outer wall 26 includes a pair of
slots 54 into which a pair of cantilevered detent members 52 extend
for complementary engagement with latch members 102 (see FIG. 8)
formed on cleaning element 100 to removably secure cleaning element
100 to nozzle 22. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, free ends 56 of
cantilevered detent members 52 have rounded portions (see FIG. 4)
for abutting a web portion 58 of latch member 102 to help secure
cleaning element 100 to nozzle 22. Free ends 56 of detent members
52 may be recessed from nozzle bottom edge 30 to engage
complementary latch members 102 on cleaning element 100 when the
cleaning element 100 is inserted through nozzle opening 32 into
suction chamber 34. Each detent member 52 is designed so as to
provide a slight clearance between latch web portion 58 and the
rounded portion of detent member free end 56 when latch arms 116 of
latch members 102 abut positioning shoulders 50.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 6, a positioning shoulder 50 is formed
proximate a base end 62 of each of detent members 52 against which
a portion of a corresponding latch member 102 abuts when the
cleaning element is removably secured to nozzle 22. Positioning
ribs 60 and positioning shoulders 50 of nozzle 22 are formed spaced
apart from bottom edge 30 so as to enable cleaning element 100 to
be recessed with respect to bottom edge 30 when the cleaning
element is removably secured to nozzle 22.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 8, cleaning element 100 includes
a brush member 106 and a squeegee member 108 affixed to a mounting
member 110. Mounting member 110 is configured to permit airflow
from outside nozzle 22 into and through suction chamber 34 when
removably secured to nozzle 22. Mounting member 110 has a pair of
grooves 112 and 114 formed therein for receiving and securing
therein brush member 106 and squeegee member 108, respectively.
[0021] A plurality of latch members 102 extend from mounting member
110 for complementary engagement with detent members 52 on nozzle
22. Latch members 102 include a pair of substantially parallel arm
portions 116 projecting from mounting member 110, each arm portion
having a base end 118 and a free end 120, and a web portion 122
connecting the free ends 120 of arms 116. Web portions 122 of latch
members 102 engage free ends 56 of detent members 52 during
attachment of cleaning element 100 to nozzle 22. Portions of latch
member arms 116 also define a plurality of first bearing surfaces
abutting some of positioning ribs 60 and positioning shoulders 50,
respectively, when the cleaning element 100 is removably secured to
nozzle 22. A plurality of cantilevered bearing members 134 also
extend from mounting member 110 for abutting others of positioning
ribs 60 on nozzle 22 when cleaning member 100 is removably secured
to the nozzle 22.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows brush member 106 which is comprised of a brush
head 126 and a plurality of bristles 128. Brush head 126 of brush
member 106 is typically secured within brush groove 112 using an
interference fit. Bristles 128 of brush member 106 project from an
open side of groove 112. Alternative types of brushes, such as
fabric brushes, may also be used provided they are capable of being
formed on or affixed to mounting member 110. Squeegee member 108
includes a working edge 130 and a mounting head 132. Mounting head
132 is typically secured within squeegee groove 114 using an
interference fit. Working edge 130 of squeegee member 108 projects
from an open side of squeegee groove 114 in a direction generally
parallel but opposite to the direction in which bristles 128
project from mounting member 110.
[0023] Removable attachment of cleaning element 100 to nozzle 22
will now be discussed. Whether cleaning member 100 is attached to
nozzle 22, and the orientation of the cleaning member 100 if
attached to the nozzle 22, generally depend on the type of cleaning
surface to be cleaned. For instance, to remove dust or particulate
matter from a smooth, dry, non-carpeted surface, it may be
desirable to detach cleaning member 100 from nozzle 22 and to
engage the working surface with the nozzle 22 alone. When a
carpeted working surface is to be cleaned, cleaning element 100 may
be removably secured to nozzle 22 such that bristles 128 of brush
member 106 engage the working surface during use. When water or
other liquids are to be removed from the working surface, cleaning
element 100 may be secured to nozzle 22 such that squeegee working
edge 130 engages the working surface during use. Thus, it may be
seen that the design of nozzle 22 and cleaning element 100 enable
accessory 20 to be easily re-configured to clean a wide variety of
working surfaces.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, to removably secure cleaning element
100 to nozzle 22 such that bristles 128 of brush member 106 will
engage the working surface during use, the cleaning element 100 is
positioned inside nozzle 22 proximate bottom edge 30 and oriented
with respect to nozzle 22 such that bristles 128 project from brush
groove 112 toward and out of opening 32, latch members 102 are
aligned with corresponding detent members 52 extending from nozzle
rear outer wall 26, and bearing members 134 are aligned with
corresponding ones of positioning ribs 60.
[0025] Cleaning element 100 is then moved toward nozzle opening 32
and into suction chamber 34, whereby rounded free end portions 56
of detent members 52 are engaged by web portions 58 of latch
members 52. Engagement between web portions 58 and rounded free end
portions 56 cause free ends 56 of detent members 52 to resiliently
deflect in the direction represented by arrow "A" as shown in FIG.
4, allowing web portions 58 to slide to over rounded free end
portions 56. As movement of cleaning element 100 continues in the
same direction and web portions 58 slide past rounded end portions
56 of detent members 52, detent members 52 snap back to a
substantially undeflected state. Bearing members 134 now rest on
positioning ribs 60, bearing surfaces 122 rest on positioning
shoulders 50, and web portions 122 are secured between rounded free
end portions 56 and positioning shoulders 50, thereby removably
securing cleaning element 100 to nozzle 22. Rounded free ends 56 of
detent members 52 help prevent latch member webs 122 from sliding
with respect to, and disengaging from, detent members 52 without
application of a pulling force by a user. Also, due to the location
of positioning shoulders 50 and positioning ribs 60, and due to the
configuration of the cleaning member 100, cleaning member 100
resides within suction chamber 34 and is spaced apart from bottom
edge 30 such that either the brush member 106 or the squeegee
member 108 extends toward and out of nozzle opening 32 from a
position spaced apart from the nozzle opening 32.
[0026] It will be understood that cleaning member 100 may be
removably secured to nozzle 22 using any one of numerous equivalent
alternatives to the latching system described above. For example,
ends of the cleaning member 100 may be press fit into complementary
grooves formed along interior portions of side outer walls 28.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, to change the orientation of
cleaning element 100 from that of FIG. 4 to that shown in FIG. 5
such that squeegee working edge 130 will engage the working surface
during use of the accessory 20, force is applied on cleaning
element 100 by a user to direct the cleaning element toward nozzle
opening 32, causing web portions 122 of latch members 102 to engage
the rounded free end portions of respective detent members 52.
Further application of force in this direction causes detent
members to deflect in the directions represented by arrow "A" in
FIG. 4, allowing web portions 122 to slide over rounded free end
portions 56 and allowing cleaning element 100 to detach from nozzle
22. The cleaning element is then rotated 180 degrees about an axis
"B" extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of cleaning
element 100, as shown in FIG. 2. This rotation of cleaning element
100 results in the cleaning element being oriented with respect to
nozzle 22 such that squeegee working edge 130 projects from
squeegee groove 114 toward and out of opening 32, latch members 102
are once again aligned with corresponding detent members 52
extending from nozzle rear outer wall 26, and bearing members 134
are once again aligned with corresponding positioning ribs 60.
cleaning element 100 is then moved into suction chamber 34 such
that latch members 102 engage detent members 52 as described
above.
[0028] It should be understood that the preceding is merely a
detailed description of one embodiment of this invention and that
numerous changes to the disclosed embodiment can be made in
accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. The preceding description,
therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention.
Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *