Self-acting Combination Rug And Floor Vacuum Cleaner Nozzle

Abstract

A combination rug and floor vacuum cleaner nozzle has a passageway providing a path of flow for air from a suction inlet to an outlet, the suction inlet being defined by an apertured flat surface part which serves as a working member for cleaning rugs. A brush, which serves as another working member for cleaning floors, is mounted on the nozzle at the vicinity of the suction inlet for movement between upper and lower positions respectively above and below the suction inlet.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A combination rug and floor vacuum cleaner nozzle has a passageway providing a path of flow for air from a suction inlet to an outlet, the suction inlet being defined by an apertured flat surface part which serves as a working member for cleaning rugs. A brush, which serves as another working member for cleaning floors, is mounted on the nozzle at the vicinity of the suction inlet for movement between upper and lower positions respectively above and below the suction inlet.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In known combination vacuum cleaner nozzles of this kind the brush is movably mounted on the nozzle by structure comprising a flexible diaphragm which forms a wall of a chamber in communication with the passageway, the diaphragm being resiliently biased by spring means to move the brush to its lower working position. The brush is moved upward to its upper non-working position by air at a partial vacuum in the chamber which is introduced therein from the passageway, the partial vacuum of the air in the chamber being sufficient to do this when the nozzle is moved over a rug or carpet. The brush is moved downward to its lower position when the nozzle is moved over a floor. Under these conditions the partial vacuum of air in the chamber is insufficient to move the brush upward and the brush is resiliently biased to its lower position.

For a combination nozzle of this kind to operate properly the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner connected to the nozzle outlet should not vary within too wide limits. Since the structure for moving the brush is in communication with the suction passageway and functions responsive to the partial vacuum of air flowing therethrough, a change in pressure directly affects the partial vacuum of air which is dependent upon the rate of flow of air per unit interval of time. If the rate of flow of air increases substantially above the normal rate of air flow when the nozzle is being moved over a floor, the structure for moving the brush malfunctions and moves the brush upward. Hence, there is an upper limit to the rate at which air flows through the suction passageway which cannot be exceeded for the nozzle to function correctly.

Conversely, the rate at which air flows per unit interval of time through the passageway should not fall below a normal rate of air flow when the nozzle is being moved over a rug or carpet. This may occur, for example, when the dust bag becomes clogged with dust and dirt collected therein. Under these operating conditions, the partial vacuum of air in the suction passageway can become insufficient to maintain the brush in its upper non-working position. This adverse operating condition can be minimized to some extent when the structure for moving the brush is in communication with the suction passageway at the immediate vicinity of the suction inlet. However, this small benefit is counteracted by the fact that the pressure variations of air required for the nozzle to operate correctly would be insufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Our invention relates to an improved combination rug and floor vacuum cleaner nozzle of the kind referred to above which has a pair of working members, one for cleaning rugs or carpets and the other for cleaning floors, and automatically places the correct working member in cleaning position when the nozzle is moved over a rug or a floor.

An object of our invention is to provide such a self-acting combination rug and floor vacuum cleaner nozzle which operates correctly even when the efficiency of the vacuum cleaner to which the nozzle is connected is impaired and the physical characteristics of the surface being cleaned, such as a rug or carpet, for example, have materially changed.

Our improvement is embodied in a vacuum cleaner nozzle having a smooth operating member for cleaning porous surfaces and a brush operating member for cleaning non-porous surfaces. The smooth operating member automatically functions to perform cleaning when the flow of air in its path of flow between the suction inlet and outlet of the nozzle is at or less than a predetermined speed; and the brush operating member automatically functions to perform cleaning when the flow of air exceeds the predetermined speed.

We accomplish this by providing structure, such as scoops or funnels, which are in the direct path of movement of at least a part of the air flowing between the suction inlet and outlet when such flow of air exceeds the predetermined speed, the air striking such structure being diverted by the latter into a second passageway to produce a dynamic pressure component of air to promote movement of the brush operating member to its working position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing, FIG. 1 is a bottom view of one-half of a self-acting combination rug and floor vacuum cleaner nozzle embodying our invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken at line 2--2, with the brush illustrated in its lower position and operative to perform cleaning;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken at line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top perspective view of interior parts of the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded bottom perspective view of parts of the nozzle shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3; and

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 2 with the brush in its upper position and inoperative to perform cleaning.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawing, the self-acting combination rug and floor suction nozzle 7 comprises an elongated hollow body 10 including top and bottom parts 8 and 9, respectively, having a flexible diaphragm 22 therebetween to provide top and bottom spaces 24 and 33, respectively. The top and bottom parts 8 and 9, with the diaphragm 22 therebetween, can be detachably connected together in any suitable manner. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, partitioning within the interior of the top part 8 is formed with internally threaded openings 34 to receive tightening cap screws 35 which extend upward through openings in the bottom part 9 and pass through openings 36 in the diaphragm 22.

The peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm 22 is clamped between the abutting outer edges of the body parts 8 and 9 and formed with an enlarged head 23 which serves as a bumper to protect objects against which the nozzle 7 may strike when being moved back and forth over a rug or floor being cleaned. The diaphragm 22 desirably is formed of a suitable elastomeric material like rubber, for example.

The hollow body 7 is provided with an upwardly inclined tubular member 11. The tubular member 11 serves as an air outlet socket adapted to be connected to a source of supply of air at a partial vacuum, such as a vacuum cleaner, for example. The outlet socket 11 forms part of a passageway in the body 10 which includes an upper horizontal section 12a and a vertical section 12 extending downward therefrom midway between the ends of the nozzle body. The passageway section 12 is defined by wall members 37 in the top body part 8 and an opening 38 in the bottom body part 9. The diaphragm 22 is formed with a flat horizontal portion 39 which is provided with an opening 40 and clamped between the top and bottom body parts 8 and 9 of the nozzle body 10 to form an airtight seal between these parts with the diaphragm opening 40 in alignment with the opening 38 in the bottom body part 9 and the opening defined by the wall members in the top body part 8.

The passageway section 12 terminates in an air inlet opening or suction inlet 13 defined by spaced apart walls 41 which extend lengthwise of the body 10. It will now be understood that the suction inlet 13 has two branches or arms at the bottom of the nozzle 7 which extend outwardly from the central part of the body 10, the ceilings 42 of the branches sloping downward with the higher inner ends thereof terminating at the opening 38 in the bottom body part 9 which defines the extreme lower end of the vertical passageway section 12.

An elongated apertured bottom plate 15 overlies the bottom body part 9 at the lower ends of the walls 41 to provide a smooth gliding surface when a carpet or rug is being cleaned. Air sucked into the suction inlet 13 moves toward the center part of the nozzle 7 and then flows upward through the passageway 12 toward the outlet socket 11.

A pair of spaced apart brushes 20 is disposed at the vicinity of the suction inlet 13. The brushes 20 are essentially straight and extend lengthwise of the nozzle body 10 at the outer longitudinal edges of the bottom plate 15. The brushes 20 include bristles 20a fixed to brush backs 20b, the ends of which are held at 21a to the opposing sides of brush holders 21, one of which is shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6.

At opposite sides of the central passageway 12 the diaphragm 22 is formed with cup-shaped portions which receive open cup-shaped members 26. The members 26, which snugly nest in the cup-shaped portions of the diaphragm 22, are provided with flanges or rims 26a at their open ends. The cup-shaped portions of the diaphragm 22 are clamped at 43 between the rims 26a of the members 26 and the brush holders 21.

It will now be understood that the brush holders 21, cup-shaped portions of the diaphragm 22 and cup-shaped members 26 form unitary components of the nozzle 7 and are vertically movable as independent units when movement is imparted to the diaphragm 22. The diaphragm 22 is provided with corrugated sections 22a of annular form which are closely adjacent to the rims 26a of the cup-shaped members 26 to promote flexing of the diaphragm even though both the inner peripheral edges at the opening 40 therein and the outer peripheral edge portions thereof are clamped between the top and bottom parts 8 and 9, respectively, of the nozzle body 10 in the manner explained above.

It will also be understood that the structure just described and one of which is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is duplicated for the branch or arm of the nozzle body 10 at the other side of the air outlet socket 11.

The bottom body part 9 is apertured at 19 to receive the brush bristles 20a which move between upper and lower positions with respect to the suction inlet 13. When the brushes 20 are in their upper positions shown in FIG. 6 the apertured bottom plate 15 fixed to the bottom body part 9 functions to effect cleaning of a rug or carpet 44, as explained above. When the brushes 20 are in their lower positions below the suction inlet 13, as shown in FIG. 2, the brushes are adapted to effect cleaning of a floor or other hard surface 45.

Coil springs 27 are provided in the top space 24 with their upper ends bearing against the ceiling of the top part 8 of the nozzle body 10 and their lower ends bearing against the bottoms of the cup-shaped members 26. Hence, the springs 27 tend to urge the brushes 20 to their lower positions shown in FIG. 2.

When the nozzle 7 is being moved over a non-porous surface like floor 45, for example, the air in space 24 will be at a positive pressure, as will be explained presently; and such positive pressure, aided by the biasing action of the springs 27, will be effective to move the diaphragm 24 and the brushes 20 downward, as shown in FIG. 2. When the nozzle 7 is being moved over a porous surface like a rug or carpet 44, the air in the space 24 will be at sub-atmospheric pressure or a partial vacuum, as will be explained presently, whereby the diaphragm 22 will flex upward against the biasing action of the springs 27 to raise the brushes 20 to their upper positions shown in FIG. 6. Hence, the nozzle 10 is self-acting and, when connected to a source of supply of air at sub-atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum, the brushes 20 will automatically move to their lower positions in FIG. 2 when the nozzle is moved over a non-porous surface like floor 45 to be cleaned; and the brushes 20 also will automatically move to their upper positions in FIG. 6 when the nozzle is moved over a porous surface like a rug or carpet 44 to be cleaned.

The apertured bottom plate 15, which constitutes a smooth operating member, automatically functions to perform cleaning when the flow of air in passageway 12 between the suction inlet 13 and outlet 11 of the nozzle is at or less than a predetermined speed; and the brushes 20 automatically function to perform cleaning when the flow of air in the passageway 12 exceeds the predetermined speed.

In accordance with our invention, in order to promote movement of the brushes 20 from their upper non-working positions in FIG. 6 to their lower working positions in FIG. 2, we provide structure, such as the scoops or funnels 46, which are in the direct path of movement of at least a part of the air flowing between the suction inlet 13 and outlet 11 when the flow of air exceeds the predetermined speed. The air striking the scoops 46 is diverted by the latter, as will be explained presently, to produce a dynamic pressure component of air to promote movement of the brushes 20 from their upper positions in FIG. 6 to their lower positions in FIG. 2. The scoops or funnels 46 are located in the ceiling 42 of the suction inlet 13 adjacent to the opening 38 in the bottom body part 9 at the lower end of the passageway 12.

When the nozzle 7 is being moved over a non-porous surface like the floor 45 and the outlet 11 is connected to a vacuum cleaner, air will be drawn or sucked into the suction inlet 13. As explained above, the two brushes 20 extend lengthwise of the nozzle body 10 and at their ends, at the narrow ends of the nozzle body, are separated by gaps 47, as seen in FIG. 1. The nozzle 7 is supported at its ends by rollers or wheels 48' which function to hold the tips of the bristles 20a in contact with the floor 45 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. Hence, air will be sucked into the suction inlet 13 primarily through the gaps 47 at the ends of the nozzle. Such air flows lengthwise of the nozzle from the gaps 47 to the opening 38 at the bottom of the passageway 12 which is midway between the ends of the nozzle. The scoops 46 are in the paths of movement of such air and parts thereof are diverted from the suction inlet 13 into the scoops.

The scoops or funnels 46 have enlarged open ends 46a facing the narrow ends of the nozzle which receive air flowing in particular directions, as indicated schematically by the arrows A in FIGS. 1 and 5, in the path of air flow from the suction inlet 13 to the outlet 11. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, air directed into the scoops 46 flows therefrom through openings 48 in the diaphragm 22 into chambers 49 which are outside the suction passageway 12 and formed by partitioning in the top part 8 of the nozzle body 10. This partitioning includes wall members 50 having vertical slots 51 through which air flows from the chambers 49 into the top spaces 24 above the diaphragm 22.

When the nozzle 7 is moved from a porous surface to a non-porous surface, as from the rug 44 in FIG. 6 to the floor 45 in FIG. 2, the brushes 20 initially will remain in their upper positions. Under these conditions the flow of air in the passageway 12, which may be referred to as a first passageway, exceeds the predetermined speed referred to above. The air striking the scoops 46 is diverted by the latter into the passageway formed by the openings 48 in the diaphragm 22, chambers 49 and vertical slots 51 in wall members 50. The air diverted into this last-mentioned passageway, which may be referred to as a second passageway, produces a dynamic pressure component of air to promote downward flexing of the diaphragm. Under these conditions the air in the spaces 24 will be at a positive pressure, as pointed out above, to flex the diaphragm 22 to bring the brushes 20 in contact with the floor 45. It will be seen that such downward movement of the diaphragm 22 is aided by the downward biasing action of the coil springs 27.

When the nozzle 7 now is moved over a porous surface like the carpet or rug 44, the rollers 48', which are of sufficient thickness, will sink into the carpet or rug and maintain the apertured plate 15 in contact with the rug in the manner shown in FIG. 6. With the apertured plate 15 functioning as an operating member to perform cleaning the flow of air in the first passageway will be at or less than the predetermined speed and the scoop 46 will be ineffective to divert air in the second passageway to the chamber 24. A sub-atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum will be developed in the suction inlet 13 and scoops 46 under these conditions. Since the top spaces 24 are in communication with the scoops 46 in the manner just explained, the air in the spaces 24 also will be at a sub-atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum which is of sufficient magnitude to flex the diaphragm 22 upward against the downward biasing action of the springs 27. In this way the brushes 20 are moved to their upper positions, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Under these operating conditions a sub-atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum prevails in the scoops 46 for all practical purposes.

When the brushes 20 are in their lower positions illustrated in FIG. 2 and the nozzle 7 is moved over the rug or carpet 44 the nozzle will sink into the rug or carpet sufficiently for the ends of the plate 15 to close the gaps 47 at the ends of the brushes 20. Since the longitudinal sides of the plate 15 also are in contact with the rug or carpet the air will be sucked more or less uniformly about the entire periphery of the suction inlet 13 and there will not be a strong movement of air lengthwise of the nozzle from the narrow ends thereof toward the passageway 12, as explained above and illustrated by the arrows A in FIGS. 1 and 5. It is for this reason that a sub-atmospheric pressure or partial vacuum will be developed in the suction inlet 13 and in the scoops 46 in the ceiling 42 thereof which will occur, as pointed out above, when the flow of air in the first passageway 12, between the suction inlet 13 and outlet 11, is at or below the predetermined speed.

Claims

We claim:

1. A self-acting combination vacuum cleaner nozzle which includes

a. a hollow body comprising structure including wall means defining a first passageway having a suction inlet and an outlet adapted to be connected to a source of air at a partial vacuum,

b. brush means disposed exteriorly of said wall means at the vicinity of said suction inlet, said brush means having vertically disposed bristles depending downward therefrom,

c. first means for mounting said brush means on said body for movement between upper and lower positions with respect to said suction inlet, said suction inlet functioning to clean a porous surface when said brush means is in its upper position above said suction inlet and said brush means functioning to clean a non-porous surface when it is in its lower position below said suction inlet,

d. second means for rendering said first mounting means operable to move said brush means relative to said hollow body to its upper position responsive to flow of air in said first passageway which is at or less than a predetermined speed and for rendering said first mounting means operable to move said brush means relative to said hollow body to its lower position responsive to flow of air in said first passageway which exceeds the predetermined speed,

e. said second means including means providing a second passageway having one end in communication with a region of said first passageway and the opposite end thereof in communication with said movable mounting means, and

f. said means providing said second passageway including structure which is in the direct path of movement of at least a part of the air flowing in said first passageway when such flow of air exceeds the predetermined speed, the air striking said last-mentioned structure being diverted by the latter into said second passageway to produce a dynamic pressure component of the total air pressure therein to promote movement of said brush means to its lower position by said second means when the flow of air in said first passageway exceeds the predetermined speed.

2. A vacuum cleaner nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which the one end of said second passageway is in communication with a region of said first passageway at the vicinity of said suction inlet.

3. A vacuum cleaner nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which said structure in the direct path of movement of at least a part of the air flowing in said first passageway, when such flow of air exceeds the predetermined speed, comprises a scoop having an opening facing air flowing toward said scoop, said scoop decreasing in cross-sectional area from the opening in the direction air flows therein.

4. A vacuum cleaner nozzle as set forth in claim 1 in which

a. said second means renders said first mounting means operable to move said brush means relative to said hollow body to its upper position when a partial vacuum of sufficient magnitude is developed responsive to flow of air in said first passageway which is at or less than the predetermined speed, and in which

b. said second means renders said first mounting means operable to move said brush means relative to said hollow body to its lower position when a positive pressure at or above atmospheric pressure is developed responsive to flow of air in said first passageway which is above the predetermined speed.

5. A vacuum cleaner nozzle as set forth in claim 4 in which

a. said first means for mounting said brush means on said body for movement between upper and lower positions with respect to said suction inlet includes flexible diaphragm means, and

b. said second means includes structure providing a chamber which is outside said first passageway and defined in part by said flexible diaphragm means, the opposite end of said second passageway being connected to said chamber.

6. A vacuum cleaner nozzle as set forth in claim 5 which includes

a. resilient means which, together with the positive pressure at or above atmospheric pressure developed in said chamber responsive to flow of air in said first passageway which is above the predetermined speed, functions to bias said flexible diaphragm and render the latter operable to move said brush means relative to said hollow body to its lower position,

b. the partial vacuum of said sufficient magnitude being developed in said chamber responsive to flow of air in said first passageway which is at or less than the predetermined speed functioning to overcome the biasing action of said flexible diaphragm means by said resilient means to move said brush means relative to said hollow body to its upper position.