U.S. patent application number 10/992576 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for water filtration vacuum cleaner.
Invention is credited to Lam, Raymond Hoi-Tak.
Application Number | 20050108849 10/992576 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34590487 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050108849 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lam, Raymond Hoi-Tak |
May 26, 2005 |
Water filtration vacuum cleaner
Abstract
A water filtration vacuum cleaner that has a modular
construction. A motor module fits deep into a central opening of a
water tank module so that the center of gravity of the vacuum
cleaner is lowered. The water tank module is then placed on top of
a trolley module, which has a rotatable arm. When rotated into a
substantially vertical position, the arm secures the water tank
module and motor module to the trolley module. A vacuum hose
connects into the water tank from above. The air path from the hose
into the water tank module extends through an upper surface of the
water tank module that incorporates the motor module. When
activated, motor cooling air is drawn in through the bottom of a
central opening in the trolley module.
Inventors: |
Lam, Raymond Hoi-Tak;
(Wanchai, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GALLAGHER & KENNEDY, P. A.
2575 E. CAMELBACK RD. #1100
PHOENIX
AZ
85016
US
|
Family ID: |
34590487 |
Appl. No.: |
10/992576 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60525399 |
Nov 26, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 5/362 20130101;
A47L 9/0673 20130101; A47L 9/187 20130101; A47L 9/181 20130101;
A47L 5/365 20130101; A47L 9/009 20130101; A47L 9/0009 20130101;
A47L 9/0613 20130101; A47L 9/22 20130101; A47L 9/242 20130101; A47L
9/06 20130101; A47L 9/327 20130101; A47L 9/0653 20130101; A47L
9/0027 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/353 |
International
Class: |
A47L 009/10 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A water filtration vacuum cleaner of the kind including a hose
and canister; the canister comprising: (a) a liquid container
module having a bottom and an exterior upstanding wall; (b) the
exterior upstanding wall of the liquid container module forming the
major exterior surface of the canister; (c) the exterior upstanding
wall of the liquid container module being transparent or
translucent to permit visual observation of the level of liquid in
the liquid container module; (d) the exterior upstanding wall of
the liquid container sloping inwardly and merging with a top wall
of the liquid container module; (e) the top wall of the liquid
container module sloping downwardly centrally of the liquid
container module to merge with an upstanding central wall
surrounding a central opening through the liquid container module;
(f) a suction opening into the interior of the liquid container
module adapted to receive a suction hose; (g) the suction opening
into the interior of the liquid container module opening through an
upwardly facing exterior surface portion of the liquid container
module through the one of a sloping inwardly location of the
exterior upstanding wall and the top wall of the liquid container
module; (h) an air exhaust opening from the liquid container
module; (i) a motor module; (j) the motor module being at least
partially recessed within the central opening through the liquid
container module; (k) the motor module having an outer casing
forming a minor exterior surface of the canister; and (l) a fan
carried by a shaft of a motor housed in the motor module.
2. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, the
fan being in air moving communication with the interior of the
liquid container module and operative to draw dirty air through the
hose, into the liquid container module and clean air through the
air exhaust opening from the liquid container module.
3. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 1,
additionally comprising a flexible suction hose having a tubular
fitting adapted to be releasably secured to the suction
opening.
4. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 3,
additionally comprising a floor cleaning attachment adapted to be
releasably attached to the flexible suction hose; wherein the
attachment has a retractable brush mounted on a rocker plate
supported pivotally within the attachment.
5. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 3,
wherein a manually depressible actuator extends through an opening
in the upper surface of the attachment to push the rocker plate
from a brush retracted position to a brush projected position.
6. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 3,
wherein the flexible suction hose includes tool mounts adapted to
carry vacuum tools.
7. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 1,
additionally comprising a trolley module having wheels and adapted
to hold the liquid container module.
8. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 7,
additionally comprising a u-shaped handle that is pivotally
connected at its two arms to the trolley module.
9. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 8,
wherein the handle is adapted to secure the liquid container module
to the trolley module when the handle is moved to a first,
substantially vertical position.
10. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 9,
wherein the handle is adapted to engage the top of the motor module
when handle is in the first, vertical position.
11. The water filtration vacuum cleaner according to claim 9,
wherein the handle is adapted release the liquid module from the
trolley module when the handle moved from the first, substantially
vertical position to a second, substantially horizontal
position.
12. A method of water filtration vacuum cleaning, comprising: (a)
providing a motor module having a motor connected to a fan via a
shaft; (b) providing a liquid container module having an exterior,
a hollow interior adapted to accommodate a liquid, and an air
filtration pathway, wherein the air filtration pathway travels from
an air inlet located on the exterior of the liquid container,
through the hollow interior, and passes through an air exhaust
opening located on the exterior of the liquid container; (c)
providing a trolley module having a bottom surface, sidewalls and a
handle pivotally connected to the sidewalls, wherein the bottom
surface and sidewalls define a cradle member; (d) placing the motor
module into an opening of the liquid container module so that a
lower portion of the motor module is recessed in the liquid
container module; (e) placing the liquid container module in the
cradle member of the trolley; (f) releasably securing the liquid
container module to the trolley module by moving the handle into a
locked position; (g) inserting a liquid into the liquid container
module; (h) placing at least one air filter along the air
filtration pathway between the air inlet and the exhaust opening;
(i) providing at least one baffle located in the hollow interior
along the air filtration pathway; (j) drawing air through the inlet
nozzle and along the air filtration pathway when the motor module
is powered; and (k) causing at least some of the air to travel
through the liquid, the air filter and through the exhaust
opening.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the motor module is placed into
the opening of the liquid container module into a position so that
the vacuum cleaner has a low center of gravity.
14. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising the step of
drawing air through an opening located at the bottom center of the
trolley module for cooling the motor module.
15. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising the step of
releasably securing a flexible suction hose to the air inlet.
16. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising the step of
providing the inlet at a location on the upper portion of the water
tank.
17. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising the step of
emptying the liquid container module.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the emptying step additionally
comprising moving the handle to a release position and lifting the
liquid container module off of the trolley module.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the emptying step comprises
removing the motor module from the liquid container module.
20. A water filtration vacuum cleaner comprising: tank means for
holding a reservoir of liquid, wherein the tank means includes a
plurality of baffle means for improving the circulation of air
through the reservoir of liquid; filter means for filtering the air
that circulated through the reservoir of liquid; transport means
for moving the vacuum cleaner; handle means for removably securing
the tank means to the transport means; and motor means for
providing motive power to circulate air through the vacuum
cleaner.
21. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 20, additionally
comprising a hose means for suction of dirty air.
22. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 21, wherein the
hose means additionally comprises an attachment means for cleaning
a floor.
23. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 21, additionally
comprising a connection means for attaching a cleaning tool to the
hose means.
24. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 21, wherein the
hose means additionally comprises a connection means for attaching
the tank means to the hose means.
25. A modular water filtration vacuum cleaner having a tank module,
a motor module, a trolley module and an air intake hose, the tank
module having an outer surface forming a major portion of the
vacuum cleaner, the tank module having a central opening
therethrough receiving the motor module and the trolley module
having an upper surface seating the tank module and a central
opening, the motor module carrying a flow in moving communication
with the interior of the tank module, the hank module having an
intake opening adapted for connection with the hose and an air
outlet, the fan being located to move air in through the hose to
the interior of the tank module, through water contained in the
tank module, through a filter and out through the air outlet, the
motor module having an air moving impeller in communication with
the central openings of the trolley module and tank module for
moving motor-cooling air through the central opening of the trolley
module into the central opening of the tank module and into cooling
relation with a motor in the motor module.
26. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 25 further
comprising a tank module lifting handle spanning the central
opening through the tank module.
27. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 26, wherein the
lifting handle has ends slidingly attached to the liquid container
module on opposite sides of the central opening allowing the handle
to slide upward to a lifting position and downward to retracted
position.
28. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 25, wherein the
hose and the liquid container module have interfitting connecting
parts including an arcuate groomed part and a raised arcuate
projection; at least one of which groove and projection broadens
lengthwise such that the parts are wedged together upon less than a
full turn of one part with respect to the other when brought
together.
29. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 25, wherein the
hose carries at its intake end a tubular fitting having integrally
molded resilient figures with raised tips, a tubular intermediate
mating fitting having openings into which the tips snap, a metal
nozzle joined to the mating fitting by a further tubular connector
fitting over the mating fitting, and an extensible tool mounting
tube connected to the tubular connector.
30. The water filtration vacuum cleaner of claim 29, wherein the
further tubular connector has openings aligning with grooves
encircling the mating fitting, a c-clamp with radially inward
projections partly encircling the further tubular connector with
its projections extending through openings into grooves.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from the provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/525,399 filed Nov. 26, 2003 in the name of
Raymond (Hoi-Tak) Lam entitled "Water Filtration Vacuum Cleaner,"
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and more
particularly to water filtration vacuum cleaners.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Water filtration vacuum cleaners have been sold that have a
canister with an outer, "main" housing enclosing the motor, blower,
motor cooling fan and water pan in that main housing that forms the
exterior of the canister.
[0004] In some canister-type water filtration vacuum cleaners the
liquid tank is small because the allocation of space in the housing
does not allow for a larger tank. This requires more frequent
emptying and refilling than does a larger tank.
[0005] Another shortcoming of some water filtration vacuum cleaners
described in the art is that they are top-heavy. Their high center
of gravity can lead to accidental tipping. Some designs appear to
have dealt with this problem by spreading the wheels out farther on
projecting wheel supports, but this increases the footprint of the
vacuum cleaner. Furthermore, such designs are unattractive.
[0006] In some canister-type water filtration vacuum cleaners
described in the art, the vacuum hose inconveniently connects into
an opening in the side of the canister rather than an upward facing
surface where the interconnection of hose and canister is easier to
see.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with the present invention a canister-type
water filtration vacuum cleaner is provided that forgoes the "main
housing" construction approach and instead adopts a modular
construction. The water tank is large and provides the major
portion of the exterior of the canister.
[0008] A motor unit nests deep into a central opening through the
tank so that the center of gravity of the canister is lowered.
Motor cooling air is drawn in through the bottom of the central
opening. Conveniently, the vacuum hose connects into the water tank
from above. The air path from the hose into the tank extends
through an upper surface of the module that incorporates the
motor.
[0009] The three modules of the canister of the vacuum cleaner in
accordance with the invention are the motor module, the tank module
and a wheeled trolley into which the tank module fits. A single
generally U-shaped arm is pivotally connected at its two arm ends
to the trolley. Pivoted upward it engages the top of the motor
module seated in its recess in the tank. To separate the modules
the U-shaped arm is swung to a substantially horizontal position
and the motor module is lifted out of its seat in the central
opening in the tank. The tank is then lifted off of the trolley for
emptying and refilling. A convenient handle spans the central
opening through the tank, sliding from a lower, rest position to an
upper position where it can be grasped to lift the tank.
[0010] The vacuum hose has, at one end, a tubular quick connect
fitting. It includes a groove into which fits a raised connector
projection molded into the opening in the upward-facing motor
module surface. A quarter turn or less of the fitting wedges the
boss within the groove for a secure connection.
[0011] At its other end the hose carries another tubular fitting.
It has a pair of integrally molded resilient fingers with raised
tips. The tips snap into confirming openings in a tubular
intermediate mate that fits over the tubular fitting. The mate is
joined to a metal nozzle by a third tubular connector part and a
special resilient plastic C-clamp. The third tubular part slips
over the remaining end of the mate. Openings in the third part
align with a groove encircling the mate. Radially inward
projections on the resilient C-clamp protrude through the openings
into the aligned groove to lock the mate to the third part. The
nozzle can be disconnected from the hose by pressing inward the
projections on the resilient fingers of the tubular fitting and
sliding the tubular fitting from within its mate. The remote end of
the nozzle is tapered slightly so as to be press fit in an
extensible tube. A floor and rug cleaning tool, crevice cleaning
tool or other tool is then pressed onto the further end of the
extensible tool.
[0012] The floor and rug cleaning tool or attachment of the vacuum
cleaner of the invention includes a retractable brush. The brush is
mounted on a rocker plate supported pivotally within the tool. A
manually depressible actuator extends through an opening in the
upper surface of the tool to push the rocker, against the action of
biasing springs, from its brush retracted position to its brush
projected position.
[0013] The above and further objects and advantages of the
invention will be better understood by reference to the following
detailed description of one or more preferred, exemplary
embodiments taken in consideration with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water filtration vacuum
cleaner canister in accordance with the invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a removable water tank of a
vacuum cleaner like that of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the motor unit of the vacuum
cleaner of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a removable suction tube for
the intake of air into the water tank of FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a combination foam filter
and safety float unit that fits into the tank of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flexible hose with an
inlet nozzle and a fitting for connection to the canister of FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a telescopic extension tube
that connects to the inlet nozzle of the hose of FIG. 6;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a floor and rug vacuuming
attachment that fits onto the extension tube of FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an upholstery tool that fits
onto the extension tube of FIG. 7;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a crevice tool that fits on
the extension tube of FIG. 7;
[0024] FIGS. 11A-D are exploded views of the vacuum cleaner
canister of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the vacuum cleaner canister of
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a front view of the vacuum cleaner canister of
FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a right side view of the vacuum cleaner canister
of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the vacuum cleaner canister of
FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a section view of the vacuum cleaner canister of
FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view, partly diagrammatic and
illustrating motor cooling air flow in the vacuum cleaner of the
invention;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a further perspective view of parts broken away
for clarity showing air flow into and out of the water tank of FIG.
2;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a further cross-sectional view of the canister of
FIG. 1 indicating vacuum cleaning air flow through the water tank
of the canister of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a view, partly exploded and partly perspective of
the components that attach the inlet nozzle and hose of FIG. 6;
and
[0034] FIG. 21 is an exploded view of the floor and rug vacuuming
attachment of FIG. 8 with parts broken away for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] As seen in FIG. 1, rather than having a main housing into
which the constituent parts of a water filtration vacuum cleaner
canister are assembled, a modular water filtration vacuum cleaner
canister 20 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes three major interfitting units. These
are a cradle car or trolley 22, a removable water tank 24 and a
motor unit 26. As can be seen from FIGS. 11-16, the trolley 22 is
movably supported on a two-wheeled front caster 28 and two
relatively large rear wheels 30 and 32. As shown in FIG. 16, the
caster 28 has a stem 29 secured rotatably in a socket 34 formed in
the body of the trolley unit 22. The independently rotatable two
large rear wheels 30 and 32 and the rotatably mounted caster 28
permit easy movement of the canister in all directions during
vacuum cleaning.
[0036] Centrally, the trolley 22 defines an opening 36 (FIG. 11B)
through which motor cooling air is drawn as described more fully
below. The trolley car provides an interior bottom surface 38 and
sidewalls 40 into which the removable water tank 24 nests.
Pivotally connected to the trolley sidewalls at each side of the
trolley is a handle 42 best seen in FIGS. 1 and 11B. In its upright
position as shown in FIG. 1, the handle 12 retains the removable
water tank 24 and motor unit 26 in place on the trolley 22. The
handle 42 in its upright position snaps into place between a stop
44 and a detent 46 (FIGS. 3 and 11C). When the handle 42 is pivoted
in the direction of the unnumbered arrow in FIG. 1 to a
substantially horizontal position, the motor unit 26, the removable
water tank 24, and the trolley 22 can be separated. As can be seen
from FIGS. 12-15, when the modules are assembled, no one unit forms
the exterior of the canister 20. Rather the three modules combine
to define the unified appearance, each module contributing to a
greater or lesser extent.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2 the water tank 24 is of a generally
saddle-shaped configuration to accommodate the motor unit 26. It
has a bottom 43 joined to an upper portion 44. When sealed together
these form an enclosure with exterior, upstanding sidewalls 45. The
sidewalls 45 contribute a major exterior surface of the canister.
Near their tops the sidewalls 45 slope inwardly towards the center
of the tank and merge with slanted upward facing wall portions 46.
Centrally the bottom 43 and upper portion 44 join to form an
opening 47 that extends through the tank from top to bottom.
[0038] A slidable handle 48 shown in FIG. 11A has slightly enlarged
ends 50 that are slidably retained in a pair of complimentary
shaped vertical slots 52 within the opening 47. One of these can be
seen in FIGS. 2 and 11A. A pair of blocks 54 is secured to the tank
24 at the top of the two slots 52 by small screws or other suitable
fasteners to block the upward travel of the handle 48. With the
motor unit 26 removed, the handle 48 is slid upward into engagement
with the blocks 54 and affords a convenient means to carry the tank
24. Dropped to the bottom of the slots 52, the handle 48 is
out-of-the-way. It lies across the central opening 47. That opening
aligns with the central opening 36 in the trolley 22 to permit
motor-cooling air flow into the motor unit 26 as described
below.
[0039] As seen in FIG. 2 the tank 24 has deep side cavities 49 and
shallower front and rear cavities 51 and 53. Centrally, the tank
has a large deep well 55 which is a part of the opening through the
tank. The well 55 accommodates the motor-containing lowest portion
151 of the motor unit 26. The deep side cavities allow venting of
air through a pair of grills 184 and 199 at the level of the motor
140 as seen, for example, in FIGS. 17 and 18 and as described
below. The shallower front and rear cavities 51 and 53 accommodate
projecting wings 159 and 161 that provide a vacuum hose connection
and an air movement path out of the tank, as also described below.
The seating of the motor 140 deep in the well 55 as seen in FIGS.
17 and 18 allows for a low canister height and a very low center of
gravity. The canister can be dragged about by its hose 77 without
fear of tipping even though the hose attaches near the top of the
canister.
[0040] Water is introduced into the tank 24 through an opening 58
formed in a substantially horizontal, recessed land 58' integrally
molded into tank upper portion. Minimum and maximum filling levels
are marked on the side of the tank 24 at 57 and 59. The tank is
transparent, tinted transparent or translucent so that the water
level is visible. A second opening 60 into the tank 24 is formed in
a second substantially horizontal recessed land 60' molded into the
tank upper portion. The opening 60 accommodates a foam filter and
safety float unit 62. The unit 62 has a floating stopper 64, a
downward projecting basket 66 in which the stopper 64 is free to
slide and a centrally open rear support seal 68. A sock-like sponge
filter 70 covers the exterior of the basket 66. It is through the
filter 70, the basket 66 and the rear support seal 4 that air is
withdrawn from the interior of the tank 24. Extreme overfilling of
the tank 24 when replenishing the water supply or by vacuuming
water and debris into the tank floats the stopper 5 up into
substantially airtight engagement with the support seal 4. This
cuts off the withdrawal of air from the tank 24 which thereby
denies the reduced air pressure (i.e. suction) within the tank 24
needed to draw air, water and/or dirt into the tank to continue
vacuum cleaning.
[0041] A removable suction tube 72 extends into the opening 58.
This suction tube has a support plate 74 that rests on the surface
of the tank 24 surrounding the opening 58. A conforming front
support seal 76 may seal the periphery of the plate 74 against the
undersurface of the motor unit 26 when the three modules are
assembled. A flexible hose 77 shown in FIG. 6 has connected at its
outlet end a fitting 79 that, when in place, extends to an upper
opening 80 of the suction tube 72. The fitting is a three-piece
unit consisting of an outer hose holder 81 shown in FIG. 11C, a
hose seal 82 and an inner hose holder 83. The inner holder 83 has a
cylindrical projection 84 that extends into the interior of the
flexible hose 77 and a larger axially slotted cylindrical portion
85 that inserts into the interior of the outer hose holder 81
snapping in place with a boss 86 riding over a circular shoulder
(87 in FIG. 16) formed in the interior of the outer hose holder 81.
The seal 82 is captured between a flange 89 on the inner hose
holder 83 and an inwardly directed circular flange in the interior
of the outer hose holder 81. The outer hose holder 81 has a
cylindrical projection 90 that inserts in an opening 91 in an
inclined upwardly facing outer surface 92 of the wing 159 of the
motor unit 26 and into a channel 93 formed on a lower portion of
the wing 159. Interfitting raised connector projections 94 and 95
provide a quick connection of the hose holder into the interior of
the channel 93 of the lower enclosure portion 94. A slight turn of
the holder 81 wedges the raised connector 95 in a tapered groove
defined between the connector 94 and a flange 96 on the holder
84.
[0042] At its further end the flexible hose 77 has a fixed inlet
nozzle 100 as shown in FIG. 6. To the nozzle 100 a telescopic
extension tube 102, shown in FIG. 7, can be attached. To the
slightly tapered end 103 of the telescopic extension tube 102 any
of several cleaning tools such as the floor and rug tool 104 of
FIG. 8, the upholstery tool 106 of FIG. 9 or the crevice tool 108
of FIG. 10 can be attached. Also on the flexible hose 77 a slidable
tool caddy has a slidable cylindrical sleeve 110 fitting on the
hose 78 and two cylindrical tool mounts 112 and 114 on which two of
tools 104, 106 and 108 can be carried.
[0043] The manner of attachment of the inlet nozzle 100 to the
flexible hose 77 is better illustrated in FIG. 20. The slightly
curved inlet nozzle 100 has an end 103 slightly tapered to press
fit tightly into the end of the telescopic extension tube 102 of
FIG. 7. A thumb operated slide 104 opens and closes an aperture 105
into interior of the nozzle 100 to permit some adjustment of the
cleaning suction. At its further end the nozzle 100 defines a seat
106 for a resilient split ring 108. An end portion 110 of a
connector 112 inserts into the interior of the nozzle 100 extending
past the interior of the seat 106. The connector 112 is formed with
a series of flanges 114 that define slots 116 extending around the
exterior of the connector. One of these slots aligns with a pair of
openings 118 formed through the seat 106. The split ring 108 is
expanded and placed onto the seat 106. A pair of projections 120
extend through the openings 118 into the aligned slot 116. A
further projection 122 extends through a similar slot opposite the
slots 118, unseen in FIG. 19. The connector 112 and the nozzle 100
are thus rotatably coupled. On the end of the hose 77 is affixed a
collar 124. Slidably received on the hose, but detained thereon by
the collar 124, is a coupling 126. The coupling 126 has a pair of
slots 128 on opposite sides, just one of which is shown in FIG. 19.
Into each slot 128 extends a resiliently moveable finger 130. On
the end of each finger 130 is formed a slightly raised catch 132.
The shoulder 124 and the portion of the coupling 126 that contains
the slot 128, finger 130 and catch 132 slide into the interior of
the connector 112. The cylindrical exterior of the inserted portion
of the coupling 126 that extends into the fastener 112 interior
closely fits the interior of the fastener. Each slightly raised
catch 132 rides into a conforming hole 134 on each side of the
fastener 112. A cam surface 136 may be provided within the interior
of the fastener 112 extending to the opening 134 from the end of
the fastener where the catch 132 enters the interior of the
fastener 112 to facilitate the catch 132 riding up the cam surface
136 and snapping into place in the hole 134. A slight depression
135 about the hole permits depression of the catch by finger
pressure enabling withdrawal of the coupling 126 from the connector
112.
[0044] The enclosure formed by the joining of the two enclosure
portions 93 and 94 of the motor unit 26 encloses a variable speed
motor 140 (FIGS. 11D and 16-19). A motor shaft (not shown) extends
from each end of the motor. At its lower end the motor shaft
carries an impeller 142 for drawing motor cooling air into the
lower portion 97 of the motor enclosure. At its upper end, the
motor shaft drives a fan 144 that draws air in through a central
opening 146 and expels air radially outward through louvers 148 in
a fan cover 150. The motor 140 sits within the lower portion 97 of
the motor enclosure 97. A motor cover 152 is secured to the lower
enclosure portion 97 above the motor by suitable fasteners such as
small self-threading screws. A central opening 154 in the cover 152
aligns with a duct cover 156 that is secured, similarly, to the top
of the cover 152. The motor cover 152 and the duct cover 156
cooperate to define a duct 157. This duct communicates between the
central opening 146 into the fan 144 to the top of the foam filter
and safety float unit. The fan 140 thus draws air through the
filter and the duct cover 156 reducing the pressure in the tank
24.
[0045] The upper portion 89 of the motor enclosure supports within
it a push button power switch 160 (FIGS. 11C and 19). An upper
curved plate 162 is depressible downward against the bias of a pair
of springs 164 (FIG. 11C) into engagement with the push button
switch 160 to activate the switch. A printed circuit board 161 also
carries a slide activated variable resistor 166. A slide knob 169
extends through a slot 170 in the upper housing 89 to operate a
slider 168 of the variable resistor 166. The variable resistor 166,
in association with a conventional power supply circuit (not shown)
and conventional power cord and plug 170, provides motor speed
control to vary the suction at the hose 77.
[0046] As seen in FIG. 17 motor cooling air flow is indicated by
the arrows numbered 180. The impeller 142 draws air in through the
bottom of the canister via the opening 36 formed on the trolley 22
and the opening 56 through the water tank 24. The air is exhausted
outwardly to the side passing through a cooling air filter 182 and
a grill 184.
[0047] As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 dirt laden air indicated
by the arrows 184 is drawn via the vacuum attachment extensible
tube 102 (of FIG. 7) and hose 78 (of FIG. 6) into the suction tube
72. As indicated by the arrows 185 air emerges from the tube 72
into the water contained in the lower portion of the tank 24. A
turbulent frothing action occurs assisted by the presence of a
baffle 187 secured to the bottom 43 of the tank 24. This turbulent
churning of air, dirt and water is followed by a flow of the air
over and around the baffle 187, over and through the water in the
bottom of the tank, around the walls that house the motor and
define the opening 56 through the center of the tank, again as
indicated by the arrows 185. At the rear of the tank air and water
meet a further baffle 189. Air is drawn into the foam filter 70
covering the basket of the foam filter and safety float unit 62.
The baffles 187 and 189 slow movement of air and water facilitating
the deposit of dirt being carried along. As indicated by the arrow
186 air moves through the filter and safety float unit 62. The air
is directed along the interior of the duct cover 156 as indicated
by the arrow 192. The air moves into the central opening 146 of the
fan cover 150 as shown at the arrow 194. The air is exhausted
through the louvers 148 and passes through a final HEPA filter 195
carried in the motor unit 26 as shown in FIG. 17 and as indicated
by the arrows 197. Thus cleansed by three filtering actions, the
air escapes the canister through a grill 199. The grill 199 is
removably secured in place to permit access to the final filter 195
for replacement of that filter.
[0048] Shown in FIG. 21 the floor and rug tool 104 includes a
retractable brush 205 along its forward edge and a squeegee-like
flexible blade 206 along its rearward edge. These are secured in
slots 208 and 210 formed along a rocking plate 212. The plate is
biased toward the brush retracted position by a pair of springs 214
(one shown in FIG. 21). The springs act between the plate 212 and a
further, bottom plate 214. A pair of screws or other suitable
fasteners (not shown) extends through a pair of openings 216 in the
bottom plate, through the springs 214 and aligned holes 218 in the
rocking plate 212 and thread into a pair of posts 220 molded in an
upper, box-like part 222 of the tool 104. A further pair of screws
(not shown) or other suitable fasteners connects the bottom plate
214 to the box-like part 222, passing through a pair of holes 224
and into a further pair of molded posts 226.
[0049] Suction is delivered to the tool 104 from the hose 77 and
tube 102 through a short tubular fitting 228 rotatably connected to
a mating fitting 230. The fitting 230 connects to a pivotal plate
232. The interior of the fitting 230 communicates with a
rectangular in cross-section vacuum coupling 234, a small part of
which is visible in FIG. 21. The coupling 234 is integrally molded
with the plate 232 and the fitting 230. Together they open into a
suction duct 236. The duct 236 extends into the interior of the
box-like part 222 where it opens through an opening 238, the edges
240 of which engage the plate 214 about an opening 242. A channel
244 along the bottom of the plate 214 communicates suction from the
opening 242 to the floor or rug being vacuumed.
[0050] A brush actuator, shown in FIG. 8 at 246, is pivotally
supported on a shaft 248 (FIG. 21). The actuator 246 pivots a shaft
248 to which it is connected through an opening 262. This moves a
pair of cams 250 and 252 against a pair of cam follower surfaces
254 and 256 formed in the rocking plate 212 to rock the plate
outward against the bias of the springs 214 to extend the brush
205.
[0051] At the actuator 246 a pair of plates 258 and 260 closes the
opening 262 through which the actuator extends when the actuator is
pivoted to one or the other end of its limited pivotal movement.
The shaft 248 is pivotally supported at its ends in a pair of
integrally molded, thin, flexible leaf springs 264. The shaft 248
includes an offset central section 266 so as to extend the pivotal
movement of the actuator 246 across the duct 236 to the cam 252.
Wheels 270 are provided to help move the tool 104 across the floor
or rug.
[0052] While one or more specific preferred embodiments have been
described herein, those skilled in the art will readily recognize
modifications, variations and equivalents that do not depart from
the spirit and scope of the subject invention, as herein
claimed.
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