U.S. patent number 3,798,704 [Application Number 05/228,509] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-26 for self-acting combination rug and floor vacuum cleaner nozzle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Aktiebolaget Electrolux. Invention is credited to Lars Gunnar Kilstrom, Bo Gunnar Mattsson.
United States Patent |
3,798,704 |
Kilstrom , et al. |
March 26, 1974 |
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.
Inventors: |
Kilstrom; Lars Gunnar (Taby,
SW), Mattsson; Bo Gunnar (Upplands Vasby,
SW) |
Assignee: |
Aktiebolaget Electrolux
(Stockholm, SW)
|
Family
ID: |
20260007 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/228,509 |
Filed: |
February 23, 1972 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 26, 1971 [SW] |
|
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2465/71 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/319;
15/371 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
9/0646 (20130101); A47L 9/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
9/06 (20060101); A47l 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/319,355,365,368,371,382,419 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hornsby; Harvey C.
Assistant Examiner: Moore; C. K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fenander; Edmund A.
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.
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.
* * * * *