U.S. patent application number 11/954294 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for surface cleaning apparatus with magnetic securing member.
This patent application is currently assigned to G.B.D. CORP.. Invention is credited to Wayne Ernest Conrad.
Application Number | 20080178418 11/954294 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39511192 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080178418 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Conrad; Wayne Ernest |
July 31, 2008 |
SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH MAGNETIC SECURING MEMBER
Abstract
A surface cleaning apparatus is disclosed. The surface cleaning
apparatus comprises a member having a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid
flow path extends from the dirty fluid inlet to a clean air outlet
of the surface cleaning apparatus and includes a suction motor. At
least one cyclone is positioned in the fluid flow path and has at
least one material outlet. A material collection chamber is in flow
communication with the at least one cyclone and the cyclone and/or
the material collection chamber is releasably magnetically secured
in position.
Inventors: |
Conrad; Wayne Ernest;
(Hampton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERESKIN AND PARR
40 KING STREET WEST, BOX 401
TORONTO
ON
M5H 3Y2
omitted
|
Assignee: |
G.B.D. CORP.
Nassau
BS
|
Family ID: |
39511192 |
Appl. No.: |
11/954294 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60869586 |
Dec 12, 2006 |
|
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|
60870175 |
Dec 15, 2006 |
|
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60894005 |
Mar 9, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/1418 20130101;
A47L 9/1683 20130101; A47L 9/1691 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/347 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/10 20060101
A47L009/10; A47L 9/16 20060101 A47L009/16 |
Claims
1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a member having a
dirty fluid inlet; (b) a fluid flow path extending from the dirty
fluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the surface cleaning apparatus
and including a suction motor; (c) at least one cyclone positioned
in the fluid flow path and having at least one material outlet;
and, (d) a material collection chamber in flow communication with
the at least one cyclone and releasably magnetically secured to the
at least one cyclone.
2. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
divider plate associated with the material outlet.
3. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the material
collection chamber is positioned below the material outlet.
4. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least
one cyclone is removeable from the surface cleaning apparatus with
the material collection chamber.
5. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least
one cyclone has a first contact surface and the material collection
chamber has a second contact surface receivable on the first
contact surface, one of the contact surfaces has a magnetic member
associated therewith and the other of the contact surfaces has a
magnetically attractable member associated therewith.
6. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the magnetic
member has an outer surface having a polarity and the magnetically
attractable member comprises a magnet having an outer surface of an
opposite polarity.
7. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first
contact surface comprises a lower portion of a wall surrounding the
material outlet and the second contact surface comprises an upper
wall of the material collection chamber.
8. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 7 wherein the second
contact surface is positioned below the first contact surface.
9. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 5 wherein the magnetic
member and the magnetically attractable member are recessed into
the respective contact surfaces.
10. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at
least one alignment member.
11. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of the
at least one cyclone and the material collection chamber are
provided with mating alignment members.
12. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a member having a
dirty fluid inlet; (b) a fluid flow path extending from the dirty
fluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the surface cleaning apparatus
and including a suction motor; (c) at least one cyclone positioned
in the fluid flow path and releasably magnetically secured to the
surface cleaning apparatus.
13. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the at least
one cyclone comprises a cyclone chamber and a separated material
chamber and the separated material chamber is positioned at the
bottom of the cyclone chamber,
14. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a
divider plate positioned above a bottom of the cyclone chamber.
15. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the at least
one cyclone comprises at least one material outlet and a material
collection chamber in flow communication with the at least one
cyclone.
16. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 15 wherein the material
collection chamber is positioned below the material outlet.
17. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 15 wherein the at least
one cyclone is removeable from the surface cleaning apparatus with
the material collection chamber.
18. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 wherein the at least
one cyclone has a first contact surface and the surface cleaning
apparatus has a second contact surface receivable on the first
contact surface, one of the contact surfaces has a magnetic member
associated therewith and the other of the contact surfaces has a
magnetically attractable member associated therewith.
19. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18 wherein the magnetic
member has an outer surface having a polarity and the magnetically
attractable member comprises a magnet having an outer surface of an
opposite polarity.
20. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a
fluid flow passage from the surface cleaning apparatus to the at
least one cyclone and a first portion of the passage is removable
with the at least one cyclone and a second portion of the passage
is retained on the surface cleaning apparatus when the at least one
cyclone is removed and the first and second portions are secured
together by the magnetic member and the magnetically attractable
member.
21. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 12 further comprising
at least one alignment member.
22. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 21 wherein each of the
at least one cyclone and the surface cleaning apparatus are
provided with mating alignment members.
23. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a member having a
dirty fluid inlet; (b) a fluid flow path extending from the dirty
fluid inlet to a clean air outlet of the surface cleaning apparatus
and including a suction motor and a fluid treatment member; and,
(c) at least one component magnetically mounted to the surface
cleaning apparatus.
24. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 23 wherein the
component is positioned inside the air flow path.
25. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 24 wherein the
component comprises a divider plate positioned between a cyclone
chamber and a dirt collection area.
26. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 23 wherein the
component is an air flow conduit.
27. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 23 wherein a magnetic
securing member is provided and the magnetic securing member forms
an air tight seal in a wall of the fluid flow path.
28. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 23 wherein the
component is an openable door of a dirt collection area associated
with a cyclone chamber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 60/894005 (filed on Mar. 9, 2007); 60/870175
(filed on Dec. 15, 2006) and, 60/869,586 (filed on Dec. 12, 2006),
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. More
specifically, the invention relates to a surface cleaning
apparatus, which includes at least one component that is
magnetically secured to at least one other component.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cyclonic vacuum cleaners are known in the art. In addition,
cyclonic vacuum cleaners, which comprise a first stage cyclone and
plurality of second stage cyclones are known. An example is shown
in Conrad (U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,585). As shown therein, a vacuum
cleaner has a first cyclonic cleaning stage comprising a single
first stage cyclone and a second cyclonic cleaning stage downstream
from the first cyclonic cleaning stage and comprising a plurality
of cyclones in parallel. A cyclonic cleaning stage typically
includes a cyclone chamber, and an associated dirt collection
chamber that may be positioned below the cyclone chamber. Dirt
collection chambers are generally configured to be opened or
removed, such that they may be emptied. In some cases, the dirt
collection chamber is removably mounted to the cyclone chamber. In
others, the dirt collection chamber and the cyclone chamber are
removably mounted as a unit to the vacuum cleaner. Various
different mechanical engagement and locking members have been
suggested to permit such removability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with this invention, magnetic attraction is
utilized to releasably secure one component of a surface cleaning
apparatus to another. For example, a cyclone chamber may be
magnetically secured to a housing of the surface cleaning
apparatus. Alternately, or in addition, a dirt collection chamber
may be magnetically secured to a housing of the surface cleaning
apparatus and/or the cyclone chamber. Any other components may
alternately, or in addition, be secured in place by magnetic
attraction.
[0005] For example, two components that are magnetically secured
together may have opposed abutting faces. One face may be provided
with a magnet at one or more discrete locations or extending in a
continuous band around the perimeter of the abutting surface. The
magnet or magnets may be provided on the surface, provided in a
groove so that the top of the magnet is flush with the surface on
which it is provided or positioned below the surface (e.g., by
being integrally molded with a component. The opposed abutting face
may have a magnetically attractable material provided thereon in a
similar manner. Alternately, or in addition, the opposed abutting
face may have magnet or magnets provided thereon. In such a case,
the magnets on the opposed faces are oriented such that opposite
poles face each other.
[0006] An advantage of this design is that mechanical engagement
members may not be provided. Such parts, which are typically
plastic molded parts, have a tendency to break during repeated
assembly and disassembly of parts. In contrast, a magnetic seal
requires no tabs or other extending members that can snap off. A
further advantage is that a continuous magnetic seal around an air
flow passage or part of a cyclone chamber may be reliable formed
without the need of an O-ring or gasket. For example, if a pliable
magnet is encased in a plastic housing (like a magnetic seal for a
household refrigerator) an airtight seal may be formed reliably and
repeatedly by a consumer without having to precisely align
parts.
[0007] In one broad aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus is
provided. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a member having
a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid
inlet to a clean air outlet of the surface cleaning apparatus and
includes a suction motor. At least one cyclone is positioned in the
fluid flow path and has at least one material outlet. A material
collection chamber is in flow communication with the at least one
cyclone and releasably magnetically secured to the at least one
cyclone.
[0008] Embodiments in accordance with this broad aspect may be
advantageous because the material collection chamber may be
relatively easily removed from and secured to the cyclone.
Furthermore, the material collection chamber may be sealingly
secured to the cyclone.
[0009] In some embodiments, a divider plate is associated with the
material outlet.
[0010] In some embodiments, the material collection chamber is
positioned below the material outlet.
[0011] In some embodiments, the at least one cyclone is removeable
from the surface cleaning apparatus with the material collection
chamber.
[0012] In some embodiments, the at least one cyclone has a first
contact surface and the material collection chamber has a second
contact surface receivable on the first contact surface, one of the
contact surfaces has a magnetic member associated therewith and the
other of the contact surfaces has a magnetically attractable member
associated therewith. In some further embodiments, the magnetic
member has an outer surface having a polarity and the magnetically
attractable member comprises a magnet having an outer surface of an
opposite polarity.
[0013] In some embodiments, the first contact surface comprises a
lower portion of a wall surrounding the material outlet and the
second contact surface comprises an upper wall of the material
collection chamber.
[0014] In some embodiments, the second contact surface is
positioned below the first contact surface.
[0015] In some embodiments, the magnetic member and the
magnetically attractable member are recessed into the respective
contact surfaces.
[0016] In some embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus further
comprises at least one alignment member.
[0017] In some embodiments, each of the at least one cyclone and
the material collection chamber are provided with mating alignment
members.
[0018] In another broad aspect, a surface cleaning apparatus is
provided. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a member having
a dirty fluid inlet. A fluid flow path extends from the dirty fluid
inlet to a clean air outlet of the surface cleaning apparatus and
includes a suction motor. At least one cyclone positioned in the
fluid flow path and is releasably magnetically secured to the
surface cleaning apparatus.
[0019] In some embodiments, the at least one cyclone comprises a
cyclone chamber and a separated material chamber and the separated
material chamber is positioned at the bottom of the cyclone
chamber,
[0020] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a
divider plate positioned above a bottom of the cyclone chamber.
[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one cyclone comprises at
least one material outlet and a material collection chamber in flow
communication with the at least one cyclone.
[0022] In some embodiments, the material collection chamber is
positioned below the material outlet.
[0023] In some embodiments, the at least one cyclone is removeable
from the surface cleaning apparatus with the material collection
chamber.
[0024] In some embodiments, the at least one cyclone has a first
contact surface and the surface cleaning apparatus has a second
contact surface receivable on the first contact surface, one of the
contact surfaces has a magnetic member associated therewith and the
other of the contact surfaces has a magnetically attractable member
associated therewith.
[0025] In some embodiments, the magnetic member has an outer
surface having a polarity and the magnetically attractable member
comprises a magnet having an outer surface of an opposite
polarity.
[0026] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a fluid
flow passage from the surface cleaning apparatus to the at least
one cyclone and a first portion of the passage is removable with
the at least one cyclone and a second portion of the passage is
retained on the surface cleaning apparatus when the at least one
cyclone is removed and the first and second portions are secured
together by the magnetic member and the magnetically attractable
member.
[0027] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at
least one alignment member.
[0028] In some embodiments, each of the at least one cyclone and
the surface cleaning apparatus are provided with mating alignment
members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] These and other advantages of the present invention will be
more fully and particularly understood in connection with the
following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention
in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a surface
cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a
surface cleaning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line 4-4 in FIG.
1;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5-5 in FIG.
2;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a cross section taken along line 6-6 in FIG.
3;
[0036] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0037] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
showing a material collection chamber in a removed position;
[0038] FIG. 8B is a cross-section taken along line 8B-8B in FIG.
1;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3,
showing an embodiment of a material collection chamber in an open
position;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3,
showing an alternate embodiment of a material collection chamber in
an open position;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the gaskets of FIG. 10;
and
[0042] FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken along line 12-12 in FIG.
11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Embodiments of a surface cleaning apparatus 10 of the
present invention are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. As shown in FIG.
1, the surface cleaning apparatus 10 may be an upright vacuum
cleaner. As shown in FIG. 2, the surface cleaning apparatus 10 may
be a hand or strap carryable vacuum cleaner. As shown in FIG. 3,
the surface cleaning apparatus 10 may be a wheel-mounted shop vac
type vacuum cleaner. In other embodiments, the surface cleaning
apparatus 10 may be another type of surface cleaning apparatus for
example a stick vacuum cleaner, a back pack vacuum cleaner, a
carpet extractor or the like.
[0044] Surface cleaning apparatus 10 comprises a fluid flow path
extending from a dirty fluid inlet 12 to a clean air outlet 14. The
dirty fluid inlet is provided in a member 13. Member 13 may be a
surface cleaning head, as shown in FIG. 1, a nozzle, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, or another member such as a hose or a brush. A
suction and filtration unit 16 is provided in the fluid flow path.
The suction and filtration unit comprises a fluid treating member,
preferably a cyclonic cleaning stage 18 including at least one
cyclone 20, a motor 22, and a material collection chamber 32.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, in the exemplified embodiments, the
cyclonic cleaning stage 18 comprises a single cyclone 20, extending
along an axis 24. The cyclone comprises a cyclone inlet 26, a
separated material outlet 28, and an air outlet 30. Material
collection chamber 32 is mounted below the cyclone 20, and includes
an inlet 34 in fluid communication with separated material outlet
28. Material collection chamber 32 may comprise a divider plate 33
mounted to a pedestal 35, and positioned adjacent inlet 34.
Material collection chamber 32 may be emptied in a variety of ways,
as will be discussed further hereinbelow.
[0046] It will be appreciated that each of cyclone 20 and material
collection chamber or dirt collection chamber 32 may be configured
as any such chamber known in the art and may be positioned at any
location known in the art. For example, as exemplified, material
collection chamber 32 may comprise or utilize a divider plate 33
provided in the flow passage from the cyclone chamber to the
material separation chamber 32. Divider plate 33 may be mounted at
any location and may be of any known construction. Further,
material collection chamber 32 may be positioned in the bottom of
the cyclone chamber of cyclone 20 as opposed to in a separate
chamber separated by a dirt outlet from the cyclone 20, with or
without a divider plate 33.
[0047] In some embodiments, the suction and filtration unit
alternately, or in addition comprises other cleaning elements. For
example, as exemplified in FIG. 6 a second cleaning stage 36 is
provided downstream from first cleaning stage 18. Air exiting air
outlet 30 of cyclone 20 is directed to second cleaning stage 36,
which preferably comprises a plurality of second cyclones 38 in
parallel. Additionally, a pre-motor filter member 40 may be
provided downstream from second cleaning stage 36. Accordingly, in
this embodiment, fluid enters dirty fluid inlet 12, is directed to
cyclone 20, where material is separated from the fluid. The
material enters chamber 32, and the air is directed to second
cleaning stage 36, where further material is separated from the
air. The air is then directed through filter member 40, past motor
22, and out of clean air outlet 14.
[0048] In another embodiment, as exemplified in FIG. 5, a filter
member 40 is provided downstream from a first cyclonic cleaning
stage 18 and as exemplified in FIG. 6, a filter member 40 is
provided downstream from a second cyclonic cleaning stage 38.
Accordingly, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, dirty fluid enters dirty
fluid inlet 12, and is directed to cyclone 20, where material is
separated from the fluid. The material enters chamber 32, and the
treated air travels through filter member 40, past motor 22, and
out of clean air outlet 14.
[0049] It will be appreciated that the dirty fluid to be treated
may be water or other liquid with or without air (such as in the
case of a carpet extractor or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner) or air with
entrained dirt (such as in the case of a vacuum cleaner). The first
cleaning stage may comprise one cyclone or a plurality of cyclones
in parallel and the optional second cleaning stage may also
comprise one cyclone or a plurality of cyclones in parallel, one or
more filters, or a combination thereof. Additional cleaning stages
may also be provided.
[0050] It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the
cyclonic cleaning stage may be any cyclonic cleaning stage known
and may comprise one or more cyclones in parallel. Optionally, to
or more cyclonic cleaning stages may be used. A divider plate may
optionally be provided and positioned in the bottom of any one or
more of the cyclone chambers and spaced from the bottom thereof or
associated with a dirt outlet of a cyclone chamber as exemplified.
Divider plate 33 may be of any construction known in the art. For
example, if may be solid or have apertures.
[0051] In alternate embodiments, if the component that is secured
in place is not a cyclone chamber or part thereof, a cyclonic
cleaning stage is not required.
[0052] In the embodiments shown, suction and filtration unit 16
comprises a casing 44 as is exemplified. In the embodiments of
FIGS. 2 and 3, casing 44 is a unitary, integrally molded casing
comprising a cyclone casing portion 46, a motor casing portion 48,
a chamber portion 50, and portions housing any additional
components, such as second cleaning stage casing portion 52 and/or
filter member casing portion 54. In such embodiments, casing 44 may
comprise an openable lid 45, which may be pivotally or removably
mounted to the remainder of casing 44, and which can be opened by a
user to view or repair portions of surface cleaning apparatus
10.
[0053] Alternatively, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and as further
exemplified in FIG. 7, casing 44 may comprise various components,
which are mounted together (e.g., one or more of portions 46, 48,
50, 52 and 54 may be provided and secured together to define
suction and filtration unit 16). In some embodiments the various
components may be mounted together by means of an adhesive,
welding, a mechanical fastener or a combination thereof. In other
embodiments, the components may be magnetically mounted together.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, cyclone casing portion 46
comprises a magnetic member 74 provided at an upper surface
thereof. Filter housing portion 54 comprises a magnetically
attractive member 76 provided on a lower surface thereof.
Accordingly, cyclone casing portion 46 and filter housing portion
54 may be magnetically mounted together. Alternately, it will be
appreciated that any configuration and construction that is known
may be used.
[0054] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, surface cleaning apparatus 10
is a hand carryable vacuum cleaner, and accordingly comprises a
handle 56, which, in the exemplified embodiment, is integrally
molded with casing 44. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, surface
cleaning apparatus 10 is a wheel mounted shop vac or wet/dry type
vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, surface cleaning apparatus 10
comprises a plurality of wheels 58.
[0055] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, surface cleaning apparatus 10
is an upright vacuum cleaner, and accordingly includes a handle 62,
mounted to a backbone 64, to which suction and filtration unit 16
and conduit 42 are mounted. Conduit 42 is pivotally mounted to a
surface cleaning head 66. As shown in FIG. 7, the various
components of suction and filtration unit 16 are removably mounted
directly or indirectly to conduit 42 via a mount 78. A fluid flow
passage is provided between mount 78 and cyclonic cleaning stage
18.
[0056] In accordance with one preferred embodiment, a cyclonic
cleaning stage is secured in position magnetically. For example,
one or more magnets may be placed on the cyclonic cleaning stage
and opposed magnetically attractive members may be positioned at
mounting locations on the surface cleaning apparatus. Thus, when
the one or more magnets contact the one or more magnetically
attractive members, the cyclone cleaning stage is secured in
position. Preferably, magnets are provided at more than one
location, e.g., two spaced apart positions, (preferably one
proximate the upper end of the cyclonic cleaning stage and one
proximate the lower end of the cyclonic cleaning stage) so as to
increase the stability of the mount. Alternately, or in addition,
the magnets and the magnetically attractive members may be provided
at discrete locations so that when they contact each other, the
cyclonic cleaning stage is correctly aligned.
[0057] Alternately or in addition, the magnets may comprise part or
all of the air flow seal of the air flow passage leading to the
cyclonic cleaning stage and/or the air flow passage exiting the
cyclonic cleaning stage. For example, the cyclonic cleaning stage
may have an air inlet that has a abutment surface. The air supply
conduit from the dirt air inlet may also have an abutment surface.
Magnets and or magnets and magnetically attractive members may be
used to secured these abutment surfaces together. Such an
arrangement is exemplified in FIG. 7.
[0058] As exemplified in FIG. 7, mount 78 preferably comprises a
first portion 81 which is part of the fluid flow passage through
the vacuum cleaner and has an opening 81a and a perimeter 80, and
cyclonic cleaning stage 18 comprises a second portion 83 of the
fluid flow passage (e.g., the cyclone inlet) having an opposed
opening and an opposed perimeter 82. A magnetic member 74 may be
provided along perimeter 80 of first portion 81, and magnetically
attractive member 76 may be provided along perimeter 82 of second
portion 83, such that portions 81 and 83 may be secured together
magnetically. Essentially, the perimeters define contact surfaces
that abut to link cyclone 20 in air flow communication with conduit
42. Members 74 and 76 may comprise a plurality of discrete members
positioned around the air flow passage (i.e. the perimeter of the
openings of portions 81 and 83) and, preferably, a continuous
member that extends around the perimeter of the openings of each of
portions 81 and 83. A similar design may be used to connect cyclone
20 with a component or conduit downstream of cyclone 20.
[0059] Further, in this embodiment, an alignment member 85 is
preferably provided at a lower portion 84 of mount 78, which abuts
a lower portion 86 of cyclone 20 to ensure that cyclone 20 and
mount 78 are aligned. Preferably, alignment member 85 is magnetic.
For example, a lower portion 84 of mount 78 may be provided with a
magnetic member 74, and a lower portion 86 of cyclone housing 46
may be provided with a magnetically attractive member, such that
the lower portions may be magnetically secured together.
[0060] As previously mentioned, material chamber 32 may be openable
or removable, such that it may be emptied. For example, as shown in
FIG. 5, a bottom 87 of material chamber 32 is pivotably openable
about a pivot pin 88. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 8A-8B, material
chamber 32 comprises an upper rim 90, which is slidably removable
from slots 92 provided in a lower portion 86 of cyclone housing 46.
Alternately, as shown in FIG. 9, a lid 94 of material chamber 32,
on which suction and filtration unit 16 is seated, is pivotally
openable or removably mounted.
[0061] In accordance with another preferred embodiment, material
collection chamber 32 may be releasably magnetically secured to
cyclone 20 and/or another portion of the vacuum cleaner or
releasably magnetically openable. For example, the cyclone 20 may
have a first contact surface 75, and the material collection
chamber 32 may have a second contact surface 77, and one of the
contact surfaces may have a magnetic member associated therewith,
and the other of the contact surfaces has a magnetically attractive
material associated therewith. This design may be used with a
magnetically secured cyclone chamber or by itself.
[0062] For example, referring to FIG. 5, contact surface 75
comprises a lip 98 provided on bottom 87 of dirt collection
chamber. Lip 98 is provided with a magnetic member 74. Contact
surface 77 comprises a lower portion 100 of a sidewall 102 of
material chamber 32. Lower portion 100 is provided with a
magnetically attractive member 76. Accordingly, when the material
chamber 32 is closed, lip 98 is magnetically secured to lower
portion 100. If a user wishes to open material chamber 32, the user
may grasp lip 98, and apply downward force to release lip 98 from
lower portion 100.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 8A-8B, in this embodiment, contact surface
75 comprises upper rim 90, which is provided with a magnetic member
74. Contact surface 77 comprises the upper surface of slots 92,
which are provided with a magnetically attractive member 76.
Accordingly, in this embodiment, rim 90 and slots 92 serve as
mating alignment members, which ensure that members 74 and 76 are
properly aligned. In this embodiment, the magnetic member 74 and
the magnetically attractive member 76 are recessed into contact
surfaces 75 and 77, such that the surfaces 75 and 77 will come into
contact, but the magnetic member 75 and magnetically attractive
member 76 will not come into contact. Accordingly, when rim 90 is
received by slots 92, material chamber 32 will be magnetically
secured to cyclone 20. If a user wishes to empty material chamber
32, the user may grasp handle 104, and apply force to release rim
90 from slots 92. In an alternate embodiment, chamber 32 may be
positioned by moving it upwardly until it contacts the bottom of
cyclone 20.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 9, in this embodiment, contact surface 75
comprises an inner portion 106 of upper edge 108 of material
chamber 32. Contact surface 75 is provided with a magnetic member
74. Contact surface 77 comrprises a plurality of elongate regions
adjacent the perimeter 110 of lid 94. A magnetically attractive
member 76 is provided on contact surface 77. Accordingly, when lid
94 is closed, magnetically attractive member 76 will slide along
magnetic member 74, and be secured thereto.
[0065] In any of the above embodiments, the magnetic member 74
and/or the magnetically attractive member may be provided in a
sealing member, such as a gasket. For example, in the embodiment of
FIGS. 10-12, a first gasket 112 is provided along an upper edge 108
of material chamber 32, and a second gasket 114 is provided along a
perimeter 110 of lid 94. Gasket 112 houses a magnetic member 74,
and gasket 114 houses a magnetically attractive member 76.
Accordingly, when lid 94 is closed, gaskets 112 and 114 will
contact each other, and the attraction between magnetic member 74
and magnetically attractive member 76 will provide an airtight seal
between gaskets 112 and 114. It will be appreciated that if the
portion of lid 94 opposite to gasket 112 is magnetic, a gasket need
not be provided on lid 94. Similarly, it will be appreciated that
if the portion of chamber portion 50 opposite to gasket 114 is
magnetic, a gasket need not be provided on chamber portion 50.
[0066] It will be appreciated that, in any embodiments described
herein wherein a magnetic member and a magnetically attractive
member are used, positioning of the magnetic member and the
magnetically attractive member may be reversed. For example, in the
embodiment of FIG. 7, the magnetic member 74 may be provided on
lower portion 86 of cyclone housing 46, and the magnetically
attractive member may be provided on lower portion 84 of mount
78.
[0067] In the above described embodiments, the magnetic member and
the magnetically attractive member may be fabricated from any
materials known in the art.
[0068] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the magnetically
attractive member may be a magnet, which in use, has the opposite
polarity of the magnetic member. In other words, instead of a
magnet and a magnetically attractive member, a pair of opposed
magnets, have facing surfaces of opposed polarity, may be used.
[0069] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any
of the aspects of this invention may be combined in any combination
or sub combinations and that not all aspects need not be
incorporated into a single embodiment.
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