U.S. patent application number 12/386930 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-05 for portable cleaning assembly with waste container and anti tip-over protection.
Invention is credited to Glen E. Moore, Susan J. Williamson.
Application Number | 20090271943 12/386930 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41256135 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090271943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williamson; Susan J. ; et
al. |
November 5, 2009 |
Portable cleaning assembly with waste container and anti tip-over
protection
Abstract
A portable cleaning assembly includes a vacuum unit for
vacuuming debris and a waste container for collecting waste
separate from the vacuumed debris. The assembly also includes one
or more batteries electrically connected to the vacuum unit for
providing electric power. A transport mechanism supports the waste
container, the vacuum unit, and the batteries to allow the free
movement of the assembly about an area. The at least one battery is
balanced in opposition with the vacuum unit to prevent tip-over of
the cleaning assembly.
Inventors: |
Williamson; Susan J.;
(Clarkston, MI) ; Moore; Glen E.; (St. Clair
Shores, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS PLLC
450 West Fourth Street
Royal Oak
MI
48067
US
|
Family ID: |
41256135 |
Appl. No.: |
12/386930 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61125283 |
Apr 24, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/347 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 9/009 20130101;
A47L 9/0018 20130101; A47L 5/24 20130101; A47L 5/36 20130101; A47L
9/2884 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/347 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/00 20060101
A47L009/00 |
Claims
1. A cleaning assembly comprising: a vacuum unit for creating a
vacuum to clean debris from an area; at least one battery
electrically connected to said vacuum unit for supplying electrical
power to said vacuum unit; a waste container for collecting waste
separate from the debris collected by said vacuum unit; and a
transport mechanism supporting said waste container, said vacuum
unit, and said at least one battery for moving said waste
container, said vacuum unit, and said at least one battery thereof;
wherein said at least one battery is balanced with said vacuum unit
for preventing tip-over of said cleaning assembly.
2. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at
least one battery is disposed in opposition to said vacuum unit for
providing the balance therebetween.
3. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein a center of
mass of said assembly is disposed generally along a center axis of
said transport mechanism.
4. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim I wherein said waste
container includes an upper end defining an opening, a lower end
having a bottom, and a sidewall extending between the upper and
lower ends.
5. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said vacuum
unit is supported by said sidewall of said waste container and
disposed adjacent a first portion of said sidewall.
6. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said at
least one battery is disposed adjacent a second portion of said
sidewall opposite said first portion of said sidewall.
7. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vacuum
unit is attached to said waste container.
8. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vacuum
unit is disposed within said transport mechanism.
9. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising
an apron supported by said waste container and supporting said at
least one battery.
10. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said apron
includes at least one pocket wherein said at least one battery is
disposed in said at least one pocket.
11. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said apron
includes a plurality of pockets wherein one battery is disposed in
each pocket.
12. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 9 further comprising
a duct in fluidic communication between said vacuum and said apron
for routing exhaust air from said vacuum to said at least one
battery to cool said at least one battery.
13. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said apron
defines passages between at least two of said pockets for allowing
the exhaust air to flow between said pockets.
14. A cleaning assembly as set forth in claim 9 further comprising
a duct in fluidic communication between said vacuum and said at
least one battery for routing exhaust air from said vacuum to said
at least one battery to cool said at least one battery.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application No. 61/125,283, filed Apr. 24, 2008, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The subject invention relates to a portable cleaning
assembly and specifically to a portable vacuum unit and waste
container.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the field of industrial and office cleaning, portable
cleaning assemblies having both a waste container and a vacuum unit
are becoming well known. Unfortunately, these assemblies, while
useful, have a propensity to tip-over due to the mass of the vacuum
unit. This is particularly the case when the vacuum unit is
disposed on an exterior of the waste container. Of course, damage
may occur to the assembly when it tips over.
[0006] As such, the present invention is directed towards
preventing the tip-over of portable cleaning assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0007] The subject invention presents a cleaning assembly. The
assembly includes a vacuum unit for creating a vacuum to clean
debris from an area. At least one battery is electrically connected
to the vacuum unit for supplying electrical power to the vacuum
unit. The assembly also includes a waste container for collecting
waste separate from the debris collected by the vacuum unit. A
transport mechanism supports the waste container, the vacuum unit,
and the at least one battery for moving the waste container, the
vacuum unit, and the at least one battery thereof. The at least one
battery is balanced with the vacuum unit for preventing tip-over of
the cleaning assembly.
[0008] The balance between the at least one battery and the vacuum
unit assists in preventing tip-over of the cleaning assembly. This
is particularly advantageous when the waste container is completely
or substantially empty and/or when the vacuum unit is mounted to an
exterior of the waste container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 shows a cleaning assembly of the subject invention
with a vacuum unit balanced against a battery such that a center of
mass of the assembly is along a center axis of a transport
mechanism;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows an apron supporting batteries and disposed on
an exterior sidewall of the waste container in balanced opposition
to the vacuum unit also disposed on the exterior sidewall of the
waste container;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows the vacuum disposed on the exterior sidewall of
the waste container and the batteries stored within the transport
mechanism;
[0013] FIG. 4 shows the apron supporting the batteries disposed on
the exterior sidewall of the waste container and the vacuum unit
disposed within the transport mechanism;
[0014] FIG. 5 shows the transport mechanism with both the vacuum
unit and the batteries disposed within;
[0015] FIG. 6 shows the apron disposable on the waste container in
a saddlebag configuration in which some batteries are located
inside the waste container and some batteries are located outside
the waste container;
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the apron and batteries covering a majority of
the interior and exterior surface of the sidewalls of the waste
container;
[0017] FIG. 8 shows a plurality of aprons disposed on the waste
container with one apron for supporting the batteries and another
apron for supporting other objects;
[0018] FIG. 9 shows a plurality of tubes connected together with
each tube encompassing at least one battery;
[0019] FIG. 10 shows a battery storage rack attachable to a
sidewall of the waste container;
[0020] FIG. 11 shows a battery storage rack attached to a side of
the transport mechanism;
[0021] FIG. 12 shows the side of the transport mechanism forming a
ledge to support the batteries; and
[0022] FIG. 13 shows an air duct connected between the vacuum unit
and the apron.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a
cleaning assembly 20 is shown herein.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the assembly 20 includes a vacuum unit
22 for applying a vacuum to clean debris from an area. The vacuum
unit 22 includes a motor (not shown) for creating the vacuum.
Vacuum units 22 are known to those skilled in the art and various
configurations may be employed with the subject invention.
[0025] The assembly 20 also includes at least one battery 24
electrically connected to the vacuum unit 22 for supplying
electrical power to said vacuum unit 22. More specifically, the at
least one battery 24 is electrically connected to the motor of the
vacuum unit 22. The term battery 24 herein refers to a cell for
holding an electric charge, as is well known to those skilled in
the art. The battery 24 may be of the many types known to those
skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, rechargeable,
disposable, lead acid, and Alkaline. The at least one battery 24 is
typically implemented as a plurality of batteries 24. The batteries
24 may be connected in parallel and/or series to generate a proper
level of electric power to operate the vacuum unit 22. The use of
the term "batteries" herein is done for convenience and does not
necessarily require that multiple batteries 24 are implemented with
the assembly 20.
[0026] The cleaning assembly 20 also includes a waste container 26
for collecting waste. The waste collecting in the waste container
26 is separate from the debris collected by said vacuum unit 22.
(However, the debris collected by the vacuum unit 22 may, at some
point, be deposited in the waste container 26.) The waste container
26 for use with the subject invention is preferably, but not
limited to, a circular fifty-five or a forty-four gallon barrel.
However, differently shaped and sized containers may be utilized
depending upon the particular applications. The waste container 26
has an upper end 28 defining an opening 30 and a lower end 32 with
a bottom 34. The opening 30 is designed to receive and secure a
waste liner (not shown) and/or to store any waste deposited
therein. The waste container 26 includes a sidewall 36 extending
between the upper end 28 and the lower end 32. The sidewall 36
defines an interior 38 and an exterior 39 of the waste container
26. Handles (not numbered) may extend from the sidewall 36. A waste
container lid (not shown) may be disposed on the upper end 28 for
enclosing the waste container 26.
[0027] The cleaning assembly 20 also includes a transport mechanism
40 supporting the waste container 26, the vacuum unit 22, and the
at least one battery 24. As such, the transport mechanism 40 allows
portable, self-contained movement of the waste container 26, the
vacuum unit 22, and the at least one battery 24 about an area.
Therefore, the vacuum may be utilized to collect the debris and
while allowing for independent filling of the waste container 26
with waste. The transport mechanism 40 may include wheels 42 for
moving about the area, and more preferably includes at least three
castors (not labeled). Of course, it is to be understood that
different types of wheels 42 may be utilized depending upon the
type of vacuum unit 22 and waste container 26.
[0028] The at least one battery 24 is balanced with the vacuum unit
22. More specifically, the at least one battery 24 is disposed in
opposition to the vacuum unit 22 for providing the balance
therebetween. By balancing the at least one battery 24 and the
vacuum unit 22, a center of mass 43 of the assembly 20 is disposed
generally along a center axis 44 of the transport mechanism 40. The
center axis 44 extends generally perpendicular from a center point
(not shown) of the transport mechanism 40.
[0029] The balance between the battery or batteries 24 and the
vacuum unit 22 assists in preventing tip-over of the cleaning
assembly 20. This is particularly important when the waste
container 26 is completely or substantially empty.
[0030] The vacuum unit 22 may be disposed at any of several
suitable locations of the assembly 20. In various embodiments, as
shown in FIGS. 1-3, the vacuum unit 22 is supported by the sidewall
36 of the waste container 26. In these illustrated embodiments, the
vacuum unit 22 is disposed on the exterior 39 of the waste
container 26. In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, the vacuum
unit 22 is disposed adjacent a first portion 46 of the sidewall
36.
[0031] In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vacuum
unit 22 may be disposed below the waste container 26. In some
embodiments, the vacuum unit 22 may be enclosed by the transport
mechanism 40. In other words, the vacuum unit 22 is integrated with
the transport mechanism 40.
[0032] The batteries 24 may also be disposed at any of several
suitable locations of the assembly 20. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1, the batteries 24 are disposed adjacent a
second portion 48 of the sidewall 36 opposite the first portion 46
of the sidewall 36. As the vacuum unit 22 and the batteries 24 are
disposed on opposite portions of the waste container 26, the
assembly 20 is balanced and generally resistant to tipping
over.
[0033] In various embodiments, the batteries 24 are disposed
adjacent the sidewall 36 of the waste container 26. The batteries
24 may be located at the exterior 39 of the waste container 26,
within the interior 38 of the waste container 26, or a combination
of both.
[0034] The batteries 24 may be supported by an apron 50 having one
or more pockets 52. Each pocket 52 of the apron 50 may hold and
enclose one or more batteries 24. Preferably, each pocket 52 is
sized to hold a single battery 24. However, other sizing of the
pockets 52 may alternative be acceptable. The apron 50 may be
formed of fabric, plastic, or other suitable material. As such, the
apron 50 may be flexible or rigid. The apron 50 may be shaped as a
flat sheet that conforms to the shape it is held against. For
instance, the apron 50 may be shaped to conform to the sidewall 36
of the waste container 26.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the apron 50 is supported
by the upper end 28 of the waste container 26 in a saddlebag
fashion. As such, the pockets and batteries 24 are disposed in both
the interior and exterior 39 of the waste container 26.
[0036] The apron 50 may be configured to cover a majority or the
entirety of the surface defined by the sidewall 36 of the waste
container 26. As shown in FIG. 7, the batteries 24 may be disposed
adjacent the entire sidewall 36 in both the interior 38 and
exterior 39 of the waste container. Straps may be utilized to hold
the apron 50 and the batteries 24 in place.
[0037] In other embodiments, the apron 50 may be disposed adjacent
to the sidewall 36 on only the exterior 39 of the waste container
26, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. A hook 54 may be connected to the
apron 50 and be affixed to the upper end 28 of the waste container
26 for supporting the apron 50 thereto. A strap 56 may also extend
from the apron 50 and around the sidewall 36 to hold the apron 50
in place.
[0038] The apron 50 may also be utilized to hold other objects (not
shown) besides the batteries 24. For instance, the apron 50 could
also hold cleaning supplies. A single apron 50 could be utilized to
hold the batteries 24 and the other objects. Alternatively, as
shown in FIG. 8, multiple aprons 50 could be utilized: one to hold
the batteries 24 and one to hold the other objects.
[0039] The batteries 24 may also be disposed in a plurality of
tubes 57, as shown in FIG. 9, that are preferably connected
together to form a stick-like shape. Each tube 57 preferably
encapsulates one battery 24. However, multiple batteries 24 may be
disposed in each tube 57. The interconnected tubes 57 are suspended
from the upper end 28 of the waste container 26. The tubes 57 may
be formed of a flexible material, a rigid material, or a
combination of both. The interconnected tubes 57 may also form the
shape of a hook (not numbered) for convenient connection to the
upper end 28 of the waste container 26.
[0040] The batteries 24 may also be positioned below the waste
container 26. In some embodiments, the batteries 24 may be enclosed
by the transport mechanism 40. In other words, the batteries 24 are
integrated with the transport mechanism 40. Furthermore, the
batteries 24 may be located both within the transport mechanism 40
and within the apron 50, as shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, active
batteries 24, i.e., batteries 24 being used to power the vacuum
unit 22 may be disposed in the apron 50 while spare batteries are
disposed in the transport mechanism 24, or vice-versa.
[0041] The batteries 24 may also be integrally molded into the
waste container 26 or transport mechanism 40. This is particularly
advantageous with rechargeable batteries 24 that need not be
removed. The assembly 20 may also include charging circuits (not
shown) electrically connected to the batteries 24 for charging the
rechargeable batteries 24. As such, the assembly 20 may be
plugged-in to commercial power to recharge the batteries 24 when
the assembly 20 is not in use.
[0042] With the vacuum unit 22 disposed on the outside, i.e.,
exterior 39, of the waste container 26, the locations of the
batteries 24 for the assembly 20 are critical for the balance of
the assembly 20 to prevent tip over as well as functionality. With
the batteries 24 in opposition to the vacuum unit 22, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly 20 is in balance and the tip over
tendency is negligible. With the vacuum element on the outside of
the barrel and the batteries 24 inside the transport mechanism 40,
as shown in FIG. 3, the tip over tendency is also negligible.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the batteries 24 may also or
alternatively be supported by a rack 58. The rack 58 may be located
on the exterior 39 or the interior 38 of the waste container 26.
This rack 58 may be attached to the sidewall 36 of the waste
container 26, as shown in FIG. 10, or to the transport mechanism
40, as shown in FIG. 11. The rack 58 is preferably formed of a
rigid material, such as, but not limited to, metal or hard plastic.
Preferably, the rack 58 is shaped to conform to the surface it is
attached to.
[0044] The transport mechanism 40 may have an irregular shape. For
instance, the side 60 of the transport mechanism 40 may extend past
the sidewall 36 of the waste container 26, as shown in FIG. 12. As
such, the transport mechanism 40 forms a ledge 62 to support the
batteries 24.
[0045] Preferably, heat generated by the batteries 24 is dissipated
to maintain battery life and for safety reasons (e.g., prevent
fires, melting of plastics, etc.) Referring to FIG. 13, the
assembly 20 includes at least one air duct 64 which routes exhaust
air from the vacuum unit 22 towards the batteries 24. Said another
way, the air duct 64 is fluidic communication with the batteries
24. Although FIG. 13 shows the air duct 64 interfaced with the
apron 60, the air duct 64 may be utilized no matter where the
batteries 24 are disposed, e.g., in the apron 50, in the transport
mechanism 40, in the tubes 57, or in the rack 58. The duct 64 may
be formed of rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material.
[0046] It is preferred that the aprons 50 define passages (not
numbered) between the pockets 52 to distribute the exhaust air
therethrough. More preferably, the passages are defined such that
each battery 24 receives exhaust air from the vacuum unit 22. The
passages may be voids formed between the pockets 52. Alternatively,
the passages may be implemented with a breathable fabric that forms
at least part of the pockets 52 and/or the apron 50. Of course,
those skilled in the art realize other techniques for forming such
fluidic passages between the pockets 52.
[0047] It is also preferred that the exhaust air exits the apron 50
in a downward direction. This downward airflow prevents dust and
debris from being thrown up into the air.
[0048] Additionally, passageways may be formed in the other battery
24 supporting configurations, e.g., in the transport mechanism 40,
in the tubes 57, or in the rack 58. This is especially critical
where the batteries 24 are separated from one another using
dividing walls, partitions, or other such obstructions.
[0049] The present invention has been described herein in an
illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the
terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of
words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many
modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light
of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically described within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *