U.S. patent number 3,883,922 [Application Number 05/320,055] was granted by the patent office on 1975-05-20 for vacuum cleaners.
Invention is credited to Eugene T. Fleischhauer.
United States Patent |
3,883,922 |
Fleischhauer |
May 20, 1975 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Vacuum cleaners
Abstract
Canister type vacuum cleaners, which can be used in any of their
horizontal and upright positions. The vacuum cleaners include a
casing housing a motor and a vacuum pump and a readily accessible
compartment for a dust bag. The casing is free of protuberances and
is configured so it will slide easily across the surface of the
area in which it is used. It may be surrounded with an integral or
removable cover to keep the cleaner from damaging furniture, etc.,
and/or a removable dolly may be attached to increase the mobility
of the cleaner. A readily locatable, foot-operated power switch
external to the vacuum cleaner casing is also provided to
facilitate turning it on and off.
Inventors: |
Fleischhauer; Eugene T.
(Stamford, CT) |
Family
ID: |
26982279 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/320,055 |
Filed: |
January 2, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/327.1;
15/325 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
9/00 (20130101); A47L 9/2842 (20130101); A47L
5/362 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
9/00 (20060101); A47L 9/28 (20060101); A47L
5/36 (20060101); A47L 5/22 (20060101); A47l
005/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;15/327R,327D,327E,325,323,347 ;D7/168 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Hornsby; Harvey C.
Assistant Examiner: Moore; C. K.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies &
Kurz
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
1. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated
outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end
thereof; a pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to said
motor; a suction hose having one end thereof aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with the interior
of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there
being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing into
which said hose extends and said casing consisting of wall portions
all of which are continuously convex from the front to the rear
thereof and taper from a location intermediate the front and rear
ends of the casing toward both of said ends and said wall portions
all being free of protuberances. whereby said vacuum cleaner can
slide freely forward and backward and pivot on one of said wall
portions as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on
which it is supported irrespective of the orientation of the vacuum
cleaner about its longitudinal axis.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, together with means for detachably
fixing said suction hose to said elongated outer casing.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of the surface engaging
wall portions of said casing are of a scuff preventing
material.
4. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, wherein said casing has a base
disposed normally to the longitudinal axis thereof and means
extending from said base in the direction of said axis for
supporting the vacuum cleaner in an upright position.
5. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, wherein there are apertures in
said base through which air discharged from the pump in said casing
can be exhausted.
6. The vacuum cleaner of claim 4, together with a power cord
connected to said motor and extending to the exterior of the casing
through the base thereof.
7. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated
outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end
thereof; means fixed to said casing at the end thereof at which the
motor is located to form a closure for said end of said casing; a
pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to said motor; a
suction hose having one end thereof aligned with the longitudinal
axis of the casing and communicating with the interior of the
casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, said end of the
casing opposite the motor and the portion of the casing at which
the motor is located being integrally joined to form a
substantially one piece shell, there being a compartment for a bag
in the region of said casing into which said hose extends; a dolly
detachably fixable to the casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dolly
including wheels mounted for rotation about an axis normal to the
longitudinal axis of the cleaner and located intermediate the ends
of the casing, whereby said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward
and backward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to
the surface on which it is supported by manipulation of said
suction hose; and means so fixing said dolly to said casing that
the dolly can be completely detached from the casing and the vacuum
cleaner function normally, which includes means for fixing said
dolly directly to said casing at the end thereof at which the
closure forming means is located.
8. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said dolly has means at
one end thereof releasably engageable with the casing of the vacuum
cleaner at the end thereof at which the motor is located to secure
the dolly thereto, there being an aperture at the other end of the
dolly through which means carried by said casing can extend to
secure said other end of said dolly to the casing end.
9. The vacuum cleaner of claim 7, wherein said casing includes a
bottom wall member with a hand grip formed therein by which said
cleaner can be carried, there being an aperture in said dolly
through which said hand grip is accessible.
10. An orientation insensitive canister type vacuum cleaner, which
comprises: an elongated outer casing; a motor housed in said casing
adjacent one end thereof; a pump housed in said casing and
drive-connected to said motor; a suction hose; means for detachably
fixing said hose to said casing with one end of the hose aligned
with the longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with the
interior of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor,
there being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing
into which said hose extends and said casing having a lower,
surface engaging wall portion which is free of protuberances on
which said vacuum cleaner can slide freely forward and backward and
pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on
which it is supported, said casing further having an uppere wall
means which is generally coextensive in length with said lower wall
portion and has a continuously convex longitudinaly contour, and
said upper wall means including a movable portion overlying the bag
housing compartment in the vacuum cleaner casing and an immovable
portion; hinge means fixing one end of said movable portion to said
immovable portion for pivotal movement about an axis extending
transversely across said cleaner, said hinge means not protruding
above the exterior surface of said upper wall means; and latch
means for fixing the other end of said movable portion to said
immovable portion whereby said movable portion may be pivoted about
said transverse axis following manipulation of said latch means to
provide access to said compartment for the removal of bags, said
latch lying below the surface of said upper wall means, said upper
wall means being free of protuberances, whereby said vacuum cleaner
can move freely forward and backward and pivot as said vacuum
cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it is supported
by manipulation of said hose means even when it is said upper wall
means that is in contact with said surface.
11. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated
outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end
thereof; a pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to said
motor; a suction hose having one end thereof aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with interior of
the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there being
a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing into which
said hose extends and said casing consisting of wall portions all
of which are free of protuberances and taper from a location
intermediate the ends of the casing toward both of said ends on
which said vacuum cleaner can slide freely forward and backward and
pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on
which it is supported irrespective of the orientation of the vacuum
cleaner about its longitudinal axis; and a covering overlying
substantially all of said casing wall portions to protect furniture
and the like from damage when contacted by said cleaner, said
covering having a displaceable portion thereof overlying the bag
receiving compartment in said casing to provide access to said
compartment for the removal and replacement of bags.
12. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated
outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end
thereof; a pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to said
motor; a suction hose having one end thereof aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with the interior
of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there
being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing into
which said hose extends; a dolly detachably fixable to the casing
of the vacuum cleaner, said dolly including: wheels mounted for
rotation about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the
cleaner and located intermediate the ends of the casing whereby
said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward and backward and pivot
as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it
is supported by manipulation of said suction hose; a main body
portion attachable to said outer casing, said wheels being
supported from said main body portion on opposite sides thereof;
and streamlined protective fairings extending from toward the front
of said main body portion to adjacent said wheels and tapering
outwardly at the rearmost ends thereof to span said wheels and
thereby keep said wheels from striking artifacts located on the
surface across which the vacuum cleaner is moved; and means so
fixing said dolly to said casing that the dolly can be completely
detached from the casing and can be detached without interrupting
the functioning of the vacuum cleaner.
13. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated
outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end
thereof; a pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to said
motor; a suction hose; means for detachably fixing said hose to
said casing with one end of the hose aligned with the longitudinal
axis of the casing and communicating with the interior of the
casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there being a
compartment for a bag in the region of said casing into which said
hose extends and said casing having a lower, surface engaging wall
portion which is free of protuberances on which said vacuum cleaner
can slide freely forward and backward and pivot as said vacuum
cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it is supported,
said casing further having an upper wall means which is generally
coextensive in length with said lower wall portion and has a
continuously convex longitudinal contour, and said upper wall means
including a movable portion overlying the bag housing compartment
in the vacuum cleaner casing and an immobable portion; hinge means
fixing one end of said movable portion to said immovable portion
for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely across
said cleaner, said hinge means not protruding above the exterior
surface of said upper wall means; latch means for fixing the other
end of said movable portion to said immovable portion whereby said
movable portion may be pivoted about said transverse axis following
manipulation of said latch means to provide access to said
compartment for the removal and replacement of bags, said latch
lying below the surface of said upper wall means; and a hand grip
integrally formed in the movable portion of said upper wall means
below the surface thereof, whereby said vacuum cleaner can freely
move forward and backward and pivot as said vacuum cleaner is moved
relative to the surface on which it is supported by manipulation of
said hose means even when it is said upper wall means that is in
contact with said surface.
14. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated
outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end
thereof; a pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to said
motor; a suction hose having one end therof aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with the interior
of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there
being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing into
which said hose extends; and a dolly detachably fixable to the
casing of the vacuum cleaner, said dolly including wheels mounted
for rotation about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the
cleaner and located intermediate the ends of the casing, whereby
said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward and backward and pivot
as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it
is supported by manipulation of said suction hose, said dolly
having means at one end thereof releasably engageable with the
casing of the vacuum cleaner at the end thereof at which the motor
is located to secure the dolly thereto, there being an aperture at
the other end of the dolly through which means carried by said
casing can extend to secure said other end of said dolly to the
casing end and the means carried by said casing and extending
through said other end of said dolly to the casing being a suction
hose fitting extending through said casing end and providing the
communication between the suction hose and the interior of the
casing.
15. A canister type vacuum cleaner, which comprises: an elongated
outer casing; a motor housed in said casing adjacent one end
thereof; a pump housed in said casing and drive-connected to said
motor; a suction hose having one end therof aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the casing and communicating with the interior
of the casing at the end of the casing opposite the motor, there
being a compartment for a bag in the region of said casing into
which said hose extends; a dolly detachably fixable to the casing
of the vacuum cleaner, said dolly including wheels mounted for
rotation about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis of the
cleaner and located intermediate the ends of the casing, whereby
said vacuum cleaner can freely move forward and backward and pivot
as said vacuum cleaner is moved relative to the surface on which it
is supported by manipulation of said suction hose, said dolly
having means at one end thereof releasably engageable with the
casing of the vacuum cleaner at the end thereof at which the motor
is located to secure the dolly thereto, there being an aperture at
the other end of the dolly through which means carried by said
casing can extend to secure said other end of said dolly to the
casing end, and the means at said one end of said dolly which is
engageable with said casing comprising means forming a recess at
said end of said dolly into which the end of the casing at which
the motor of the vacuum cleaner is located can be fitted.
Description
This invention relates to cleaning devices and, more specifically,
to novel canister type vacuum cleaners which have a number of
advantages over those heretofore available including the cleaners
shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,721,549 to McClatchie; 2,433,356 to
French; 2,438,133 to Sparklin; 2,591,305 to Segesman; 2,634,451 to
Dow; 3,002,215 to MacFarland; 3,023,838 to Gaudry; 3,089,177 to
Andersson-Sason; 3,142,857 to Fresard; 3,270,365 to Waters et al;
3,328,826 to Amos; and 3,621,640 to Ohno et al.
Canister type vacuum cleaners generally consist of a motor and a
vacuum pump, a compartment housing a dust filter, a suction hose,
an assortment of cleaning tools, a power cord and switch, and a
tanklike casing or canister. The motor and pump, dust filter, and
power switch are usually located in the canister of the cleaner
with the hose communicating through one end of the canister with
the dust compartment and the power cord entering the canister at
the opposite end.
The canisters of such vacuum cleaners are usually horizontally
oriented cylinders or polygonal like boxes and spheres oriented in
a variety of attitudes.
To facilitate movement over rugs, bare floors, thresholds, etc.,
casters, wheels runners, pneumatic flotation elements, glides,
etc., are usually attached to the canisters. Also, elastomeric
bumpers are usually provided to reduce contact with furniture and
the like. Further, a handle is provided to facilitate carrying the
canister from place to place.
Because they protrude from the canister, casters and the like,
bumper strips, and handles become engaged with rugh edges,
thresholds, rocker runners, furniture legs and feet, etc. They also
cause the canister to move in undesired directions, defeating their
purpose.
Conventional canister type cleaners also have protruding knobs,
hinges, latches, etc., and a protrusion at the hose junction, all
of which are apt to catch on table and chair legs, sharp corners of
furnishings, etc.
These inconvenient and vexatious situations are often compounded by
the cleaner being upset when the user tries to dislodge the
machine. Then he must stop to right the machine or drag the cleaner
in its upset attitude, which increases its tendency to hang up on
obstacles and makes the power switch inaccessible or very
inconvenient to reach.
In addition to the foregoing inadequacies the usual canister type
cleaner is low to the floor and provides a poor and inconvenient
platform upon which to drape the hose and/or support the
conventional, relatively long, rigid wand. This results in a
generally unkempt sprawl of vacuum cleaner and appendages on the
floor of the storage area.
I have now invented certain novel, improved vacuum cleaners of the
canister type which do not have the above-enumerated drawbacks and
are otherwise superior to them as will hereinafter become apparent.
Briefly, the novel vacuum cleaners of the present invention include
an elongated body or casing contoured so that the cleaner will
glide easily across the surface of the area being cleaned.
Preferably, the contour will be selected so that the cleaner can
glide easily on its top and sides as well as its bottom, thereby
making it orientation insensitive. A base with projecting feet
permits the cleaner to be positioned in an upright orientation,
which is convenient for storage, in cleaning stair steps, etc. The
feet also space the base from the supporting surface so that
exhaust air can be discharged through it, even with the vacuum
cleaner in the upright orientation and so that a power cord can be
conducted to the interior of the casing through the base.
One or more hand grips are formed in the casing so that the cleaner
can be readily transported from place-to-place. All hand grips are
faired into the casing and the vacuum cleaner is otherwise kept
free of protuberances so that there will be no projections to catch
on, tangle with, or damage furniture, drapes, moldings, etc.
To further minimize the possibility of causing damage, the casings
of my novel vacuum cleaners can be made or provided with an
exterior surface layer of a material which will not scuff
furniture, floors, or other surfaces. Alternatively, a removable
anit-scuff covering may be employed for this purpose.
Housed in one end of the casing are a vacuum pump and an electric
motor for driving the pump. These components may be of
conventional, commercial construction.
Between the pump and the opposite end of the casing is a
compartment for a dust-receiving bag or filter. Access to this
compartment is gained through a latchable hinged panel or door in
the top or upper wall of the casing.
The bag is typically oriented with its open end surrounding and
secured to a tubular fitting for the end of a conventional vacuum
cleaner hose extending through the end of the casing in alignment
with the longitudinal axis of the casing. With the casing
configured as described above, this orientation of the vacuum
cleaner hose relative to the casing facilitates the gliding
movement of the cleaner.
As indicated above, the novel vacuum cleaners disclosed herein are
preferably configured so that they can be readily moved across the
surfaces of the areas in which they are being used. To further
increase their mobility, a novel detachable, wheeled dolly I have
invented can be attached to the cleaner.
Another feature which can be advantageously employed in my vacuum
cleaners is a novel bulb-type penumatic actuator for controlling
the flow of current to the vacuum cleaner motor by opening and
closing the contacts of a fluid-operated switch. This actuator is
located exteriorly of the vacuum cleaner casing. Accordingly, by
merely stepping on the actuator, the motor of the cleaner can be
readily turned on and off. At the same time there is no risk of
damaging the surface on which the actuator rests.
Aside from those discussed above, the novel vacuum cleaners
disclosed herein have the advantage of being simple and therefore
inexpensive to manufacture and service. They are also easy to
manipulate, handle, and store and have the further advantage that
they do not leave "tracks" in rugs and similar coverings over which
they may be pulled when they are used without a dolly.
From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the
relevant arts that the primary object of the present invention
resides in provision of novel, improved vacuum cleaners of the
portable, canister type.
Other important but more specific objects of the invention reside
in the provision of vacuum cleaners in accord with the preceding
object which:
1. are simple and therefore comparatively inexpensive to
manufacture and service and yet efficient in operation.
2. are mobile, convenient to use, versatile, and easy to handle and
carry;
3. in conjunction with the preceding object, can be provided with a
detachable dolly to even further increase their mobility.
4. are compact and easy to store and furnish a support for the
vacuum hose and the power cord.
5. substantially eliminate the possibility of scuffing.
6. have a readily accessible and easy to use dust collecting bag or
the equivalent.
7. have a novel switching arrangement which facilitates the turning
on and off of the vacuum cleaner motor.
8. can be made in a variety of esthetically pleasing shapes or
configurations.
Still other important objects and advantages and further novel
features of the present invention will become apparent from the
appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and
discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing,
in which:
FIG. 1 constitutes a side view of a vacuum cleaner in accord with
the principles of the present invention with part of the exterior
casing of the cleaner being broken away to show its internal
components and a sectioned view of a detachable dolly, shown
detached from the vacuum cleaner;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the vacuum cleaner;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the dolly shown attached to the vacuum
cleaner;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the exterior casing of
the vacuum cleaner intact and an anti-scuff covering in place.
FIG. 4a is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the vacuum cleaner
in a normal horizontal position on a floor surface;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the detachable dolly of FIG. 1 and
is taken substantially along line 5-5 of the latter figure; and
FIG. 6 is a top view of a second form of vacuum cleaner in accord
with the principles of the present invention.
Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1-3 show in detail, a vacuum
cleaner 20 constructed in accord with and embodying the principles
of the present invention. Vacuum cleaner 20, which is shown
supported in an upright position on surface 22, includes an
external casing 24 housing a vacuum pump 26, a motor 28 for driving
pump 26, and a dustbag 30 in a compartment 32 at the front or upper
end of the casing.
A conventional vacuum hose 34 is detachably coupled to the casing
at its front or upper end. This hose communicates with the dustbag
30 through a tubular fitting 36 mounted in casing 24.
To increase the mobility of the vacuum cleaner, a detachable dolly
38 can be attached. This dolly includes a base 40, an axle 42
extending transversely across the base, wheels 44 rotatably mounted
on the axle on opposite sides of base 40, and a glide button 45 on
bottom rear of base 40.
Vacuum cleaner motor 28 is supplied with electrical power through a
power cord 46. To turn the motor on and off, the vacuum cleaner is
preferably provided with a diaphragm actuator type switch 48, a
pneumatic actuator 50, and a pneumatic tube 52 connected between
the actuator and switch 48.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4a, vacuum cleaner 20 may also be provided
with an anti-scuff covering 53 to eliminate damage to furniture,
floors, etc.
Referring still to FIGS. 1-3, the casing 24 of vacuum cleaner 20
includes side walls 54, a bottom wall 56, and a top wall structure
including a stationary member 58 and a pivotable panel or door 60
which furnishes access to bag-holding compartment 32. Each of the
four wall structures is continuously convex in a longitudinal
direction. This external configuration of the vacuum cleaner makes
it slide easily both forward and backward and pivot in response to
manipulation of hose 34 or the acessory (not shown) attached to
it.
The external configuration also makes the vacuum cleaner
insensitive to orientation. That is, as far as its mobility is
concerned, it makes no difference whether the vacuum cleaner is
upon its bottom, one of its sides, or its top.
Another advantage of this novel casing configuration is that it
provides an elongated, relatively slender nose on which the vacuum
hose and power cord of the casing can be wound for storage.
The rear or lower end of casing 24 is closed by a base 62 (see FIG.
1) from which feet 64 extend in the direction of the longitudinal
axis of the vacuum cleaner. Feet 64 stabilize the vacuum cleaner
when it is oriented in the vertical position shown in FIGS.
1-4.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel 60 which provides access
to bag-holding compartment 32 is fixed to immovable top panel 58 as
by a piano-type hinge 66 which extends transversely across the
vacuum cleaner; i.e., at right angles to its longitudinal center
line. The opposite end of panel 60 can be locked in place by a
latch 68.
As best shown in FIG. 1, latch 68 includes a mounting plate 70
fixed to the inner side of panel 60. Slidably mounted in mount 70
is an actuator or thumb button 72, which is accessible through an
aperture 74 in the panel (see also FIG. 2). Movable with thumb
button 72 is a latch member 75, which is engageable with a stop 76
in a recess 78 formed in a member 80 extending between and fixed to
the side walls 54 of the casing.
With latch button 72 in the position shown in FIG. 1, latch member
75 engages pin or stop 76 to lock panel 60 in place against a seal
82. Latch button 72 can be slid upwardly as shown in FIG. 1 to free
latch member 75 from pin 76, permitting panel 60 to be swung to an
open position so that dust bag 30 can be removed and emptied or
replaced.
Referring still to FIG. 1, the member 80 from which latching pin 76
is supported also has a central, longitudinally extending bore 84
in which fitting 36 is mounted. The open end of bag 30 is slipped
over the lower or rear end of this tube and secured in place as
represented by a tie wire 86. The vacuum hose 34 is detachably
connected to the upper or front end of tube 36 by a latch 88. This
latch includes a button 90 mounted on a spring member 92 supported
from a coupling member 94 at the end of the hose. Spring member 92
carries a second resilient member 95 on which a stop 96 is
mounted.
The vacuum hose coupling also includes a tubular member 98
dimensioned to slide into tube 36. When tube 98 is fully seated,
stop 96 is biased by its resilient support 95 into an aperture 100
in fitting 36 to lock the vacuum hose in place.
To remove the vacuum hose, latch member 90 is depressed, freeing
stop 96 from fitting 36. Coupling tube 98 is then free to slide out
of tube 36 and through the aperture 102 in the front end of casing
24 to uncouple the vacuum hose.
As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior of the hose coupling is contoured
to match the configuration of the vacuum cleaner casing. This
eliminates the usual protuberance present at the hose-canister
junction.
Referring still primarily to FIG. 1, it was pointed out above that
vacuum cleaner pump 26 and motor 28 will typically be commercially
available off-the-shelf components. In the illustrated embodiment
of my invention, these two components are combined into a single
unit supported at one end from casing 24 by bracket 104. A
vibration reducing rubber or comparable mount 106 is preferably
disposed between bracket 104 and pump 26 to minimize vibration.
The opposite end of the pump/motor unit is supported from the base
62 of casing 24 in bracket 108, from which it is isolated by rubber
or similar mount members 109.
Also mounted on base 62 is the switch 48 by which motor 28 is
turned on and off. This switch, which is again of a commercially
available type, includes a housing 110 in which a diaphragm 112 is
mounted. When pneumatic actuator 50 is collapsed as by squeezing or
stepping on it, the pressure on the air in it and pneumatic tube
52, which is connected between the actuator and the interor of the
switch housing 110 through a bore 113 in base 62, is increased.
This moves diaphragm 112 upwardly with vacuum cleaner 20 in the
vertical orientation shown in FIG. 1. This displaces a mechanical
actuator 114 upwardly closing the switch contacts (not shown) in
casing 115 and establishing continuity in the power cord lead 116
in which the switch is interposed. A very small hole or equivalent
leak (not shown) is introduced into the pressure system to allow
internal static pressure equalization with the atmosphere.
Switch 48 is of the sequential type. Accordingly, a subsequent
collapsing of actuator 50 to again increase the pressure on
diaphragm 112 effects a displacement of the diaphragm and actuator
114, which causes the switch contacts to open, interrupting the
supply of power to motor 28 and turning it off.
The operation of the motor/pump unit is essentially conventional.
When motor 28 is energized to operate pump 26, air is caused to
flow from the cleaning implement (not shown) attached to vacuum
hose 34 through the hose and fitting 36 into dust bag 30. From here
the air flows through a secondary pad or filter 118 fixed to
support 104 by a filter support grid 120 and into the pump.
Substantially all of the foreign material entrained in the air
stream is trapped in bag 30 as the air flows through it. Any
foreign substances which may escape from the bag are trapped on
filter 118. Accordingly, the air discharged from pump 26 is clean.
This cleaned air is exhausted from the interior of casing 24
through exhaust ports 122 in casing base 62.
Turning now to FIGS. 1-3, a hand grip 124 is formed in the top wall
58 of vacuum cleaner casing 24 so that the vacuum cleaner may be
carried from place-to-place. This is facilitated because the shape
of the vacuum cleaner when oriented in the illustrated, vertical
position is such that it is easily carried.
As is apparent from FIG. 1, hand grip 124 is faired into the casing
top wall and nowhere protrudes above it. Consequently, the vacuum
cleaner will glide as easily on the top and side walls of the
casing as on its bottom wall when the vacuum cleaner is used in its
typical, horizontal orientation.
Similar hand grips 126 and 128 will typically be formed in the side
and bottom walls 54 and 56 of the casing. Accordingly, irrespective
of the side of the casing which may be down when the vacuum cleaner
is in use, one of the hand grips will be readily accessible.
It was pointed out above that the vacuum cleaner casing
configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 makes it highly mobile but
that this mobility can be even further increased by use of dolly
38. The base 40 of the dolly is contoured generally to match the
bottom wall 56 of vacuum cleaner casing 24, but has fairings 129
which extend out over wheels 44 to keep the latter from causing any
scuffing or other damage as the vacuum cleaner is moved about. A
bracket 130 fixed to the rear end of the dolly hooks over the rear
end of bottom casing wall.
At the front end of the dolly is an integral, upstanding projection
132. When dolly 38 is attached to the vacuum cleaner, tubular
fitting 36 extends through an aperture 134 in this projection (see
FIG. 5) to fix the front end of the dolly to the vacuum
cleaner.
A second aperture 136 is formed in the body of the dolly. This
affords access to the hand grip 128 in the bottom of the vacuum
cleaner casing when the dolly is in place.
As indicated above, the casing of the vacuum cleaner can be made of
or covered with an anti-scuffing material. One type of material
suitable for the casing is a vinyl coated metal. Other suitable
materials of comparable characteristics will readily occur to those
skilled in the arts to which the invention relates.
Alternately, as also previously discussed, a removable covering as
identified by reference character 53 in FIG. 4 may be employed to
prevent scuffing and other damage. This cover may be formed of any
relatively soft material and will preferably be made to completely
surround the cleaner with enough give or separable seams with
suitable fasteners so that it can be slipped over the vacuum
cleaner from its front end and appropriately secured.
An opening 138 is formed in the cover to provide access to panel 60
so that dust bags can be removed and replaced. In normal operation,
this opening is covered by a flap 140 secured in place as by snaps,
zippers, or similar fasteners (not shown).
To even further minimize the possibility of scuffing, the vacuum
hose 34 may also be surrounded by a soft covering as indicated by
reference character 142 in FIG. 4.
Referring again to the drawing, it is of course not necessary that
the vacuum cleaners I have invented have the precise configuration
and polygonal cross section of vacuum cleaner 20. For example, FIG.
6 depicts a vacuum cleaner 144 also embodying the principles of the
present invention and having the advantages thereof. This vacuum
cleaner differs from vacuum cleaner 20 both in the contour of its
longitudinal lines and, also, in that it has a circular transverse
cross-section.
Still other configurations which can be employed will readily occur
to those skilled in the relevant arts.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects
as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention
being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
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