A vacuum cleaner having a base with a first air inlet, a rear housing, a removable handle and a socket on the housing to receive the handle. The handle has a grip, a second air inlet, and a hose connected to the second air inlet. The vacuum has a valve with a first inlet connected to the first air inlet, a second inlet connected to the flexible hose, a valve outlet connected to a vacuum fan, and a valve member that moves to connect the valve outlet to either inlet. The vacuum has a handle latch having one position in which it engages the removable handle to hold it in the socket and places the valve in one position, and a second position in which it releases the handle and places the valve member the other position.
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19. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a base having a first air inlet;
a rear housing extending from the base;
a removable handle assembly comprising a grip, a second air inlet, and a flexible hose in fluid communication with the second air inlet;
a socket formed in the rear housing to selectively receive at least part of the removable handle assembly;
a valve assembly having a valve inlet in fluid communication with the flexible hose, a valve outlet in fluid communication with a vacuum fan, and a valve member adapted to move between a first valve position in which the valve inlet is not in fluid communication with the valve outlet, and a second valve position in which the valve inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet;
a handle latch having a first latch position in which it engages the removable handle assembly to hold it in connection with the socket, and a second latch position in which it releases the removable handle assembly to permit the removable handle assembly to be removed from the sockets socket;
a linkage connecting the handle latch to the valve member to thereby move the valve member in synchronization with the handle latch; and
a single user interface adapted to substantially simultaneously operate the valve and the handle latch.
18. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a base having a first air inlet;
a rear housing extending from the base;
a removable handle assembly comprising a grip, a second air inlet, and a flexible hose in fluid communication with the second air inlet;
a socket formed in the rear housing to selectively receive at least part of the removable handle assembly;
a valve assembly having a first valve inlet in fluid communication with the flexible hose, a valve outlet in fluid communication with a vacuum fan, and a valve member adapted to move between a first valve position in which the first valve inlet is not in fluid communication with the valve outlet, and a second valve position in which the first valve inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet;
a handle latch;
a linkage connecting the handle latch to the valve member to thereby move the valve member in synchronization with the handle latch; and
wherein the handle latch has a first latch position in which it engages the removable handle assembly to hold it in connection with the socket and places the valve member in the first valve position, and a second latch position in which it releases the removable handle assembly to permit the removable handle assembly to be removed from the socket and places the valve member in the second position.
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a base having a first air inlet;
a rear housing pivotally mounted to the base;
a removable handle assembly comprising a grip, a second air inlet, and a flexible hose in fluid communication with the second air inlet;
a socket formed in the rear housing to selectively receive at least part of the removable handle assembly;
a valve assembly having a first valve inlet in fluid communication with the first air inlet, a second valve inlet in fluid communication with the flexible hose, a valve outlet in fluid communication with a vacuum fan, and a valve member adapted to move between a first valve position in which the first valve inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet, and a second valve position in which the second valve inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet;
a handle latch;
a linkage connecting the handle latch to the valve member to thereby move the valve member in synchronization with the handle latch; and
wherein the handle latch has a first latch position in which it engages the removable handle assembly to hold it in connection with the socket and places the valve member in the first valve position, and a second latch position in which it releases the removable handle assembly to permit the removable handle assembly to be removed from the socket and places the valve member in the second position.
23. A vacuum cleaner comprising:
a base having a first air inlet;
a rear housing pivotally mounted to the base;
a removable handle assembly comprising a grip, a second air inlet, and a flexible hose in fluid communication with the second air inlet;
a socket formed in the rear housing to selectively receive at least part of the removable handle assembly;
a valve assembly having a first valve inlet in fluid communication with the first air inlet, a second valve inlet in fluid communication with the flexible hose, a valve outlet in fluid communication with a vacuum fan, and a valve member adapted to move between a first valve position in which the first valve inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet, and a second valve position in which the second valve inlet is in fluid communication with the valve outlet;
an air filtering device in fluid communication between the valve outlet and the vacuum fan;
a handle latch having a first latch position in which it engages the removable handle assembly to hold it in connection with the socket and places the valve member in the first valve position, and a second latch position in which it releases the removable handle assembly to permit the removable handle assembly to be removed from the socket and places the valve member in the second position; and
wherein the handle latch comprises a collar pivotally attached to the rear housing about a latch pivot axis generally that is parallel to a long axis of the rear housing, such that the handle latch rotates about the latch pivot axis between the first latch position and the second latch position.
2. The vacuum cleaner of
3. The vacuum cleaner of
4. The vacuum cleaner of
6. The vacuum cleaner of
7. The vacuum cleaner of
8. The vacuum cleaner of
9. The vacuum cleaner of
10. The vacuum cleaner of
11. The vacuum cleaner of
12. The vacuum cleaner of
13. The vacuum cleaner of
14. The vacuum cleaner of
17. The vacuum cleaner of
20. The vacuum cleaner of
21. The vacuum cleaner of
22. The vacuum cleaner of
24. The vacuum cleaner of
0. 25. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the rear housing is pivotally mounted to the base.
0. 26. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the grip comprises the sole structure provided on the rear housing for manipulating the rear housing and base on a surface to be cleaned when the removable handle assembly is held in connection with the socket.
0. 27. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the valve member comprises a barrel valve.
0. 28. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein the handle latch is mounted to pivot about a latch pivot axis, and the valve member is mounted to pivot about a valve pivot axis.
0. 29. The vacuum cleaner of claim 28, wherein the linkage comprises an arm.
0. 30. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, wherein:
the valve assembly comprises a second valve inlet in fluid communication with the first air inlet; and
the valve member places the second valve inlet in fluid communication with the valve outlet when the valve member is in the first position, and blocks fluid communication between the second valve inlet and the valve outlet when the valve member is in the second position.
0. 31. The vacuum cleaner of claim 1, further comprising an air filtering device in fluid communication between the valve outlet and the vacuum fan.
0. 32. The vacuum cleaner of claim 18, further comprising an air filtering device in fluid communication between the valve outlet and the vacuum fan.
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This application 122 112 may be coupled with a valve assembly, such as the valves described elsewhere herein or as known in the art, provided in the flow path, and having at least two operating positions. Examples of a hose 112 and a valve assembly are described in more detail below.
In the exemplary embodiment, the base 102 is supported at the rear by a pair of rear wheels 110, and at the front by front wheels 301 (
As shown in
The exemplary base 102 may comprise a multi-part structure having a frame 302 and one or more covers. In an exemplary embodiment, a front cover 304 is provided to overlie the top of the frame 302. The frame 302 and cover 304 may include other functional features, such as a bumper to protect furniture and walls, windows to view into the base 102, a headlight (which may instead be provided on the rear housing 104), and the like. Referring to
Referring back to
The rear wheels 110 may be mounted to opposite sides of the base 102 by any conventional mechanism, such as individual stub axles that are mounted in a cantilevered manner into the base frame 302. Such stub axles are known in the art. The wheels 110 may alternatively be mounted by a single axle that extends across the full width of the base 102. The axle may be any suitable shape—a straight axle, or a U-shaped structure—to allow the rear housing 104 to pivot downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the base 102. The axle 326 may be mounted to the base 102 in any suitable way. Alternatively, two mounting brackets may be provided, each having a flange to receive a wheel via a snap fitment and support the wheel via a bearing surface axle. Any kind of front or rear wheel 301, 110 may be used to allow the vacuum cleaner 100 to be pushed over a surface being cleaned. In an exemplary embodiment, each rear wheel 110 comprises a floor contacting surface 330, a sidewall 332, a hubcap depression 334, and a generally cylindrical inner flange 336. The rear wheel 110 may further comprises a hubcap 338, which is removably secured to the hubcap depression 330 to form smooth outer appearance. The hubcap 338 is preferably attached by resilient tabs (not shown) and corresponding slots 339 in the hubcap depression 334, but any other suitable attachment may be used.
Still referring to
It will be understood, of course, that the foregoing base arrangement may be modified or altered in any number of ways, and various parts may be omitted or added in other embodiments of the invention. For example, in one alternative, the brushroll motor 344 may be omitted, and the drive belt 346 may be adapted to be driven by a shaft protruding from a vacuum fan motor, as known in the art. As another example, the brushroll motor 344 may be mounted within the brushroll 312 itself. These and other variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring now to
Typical accessory tool mounting arrangements (for turbo tools and other kinds of tool), use some form of snap fitment to physically grip the tool by frictional engagement between the tool and one or more structures on the vacuum cleaner housing. While such snap fitments are functional and useful, the amount of force necessary to engage and disengage the snap fitment can vary from product to product due to manufacturing tolerance variations, wear on the parts, temperature, dirt accumulation, and other factors. New products might need to be “broken in,” and customers may find that their new product is more difficult to use than a well-used sample on a showroom floor. Older products may lose some of all of their snap fitment capabilities, leading to frequent tool loss. In one aspect, exemplary embodiments may address these difficulties by using a magnetic attachment—in addition to or in lieu of snap fitment—between the tool and the housing.
In an exemplary embodiment, the accessory tool 602 is located at the top of the rear housing 104 on its front face, below where the handle 106 connects to the rear housing 104, but this mounting location is optional and other locations may be used. The accessory tool 602 is sized and shaped to fit within a corresponding recess 604 formed in the rear housing 104. As shown in
The magnet features 606, 608 may comprise any combination of magnets and magnetically-attractive materials. For purposes of this disclosure, materials that exhibit a magnetic force are referred to as “magnets” and materials that do not normally exhibit magnetic force, but are attracted to magnets, are referred to as “paramagnets.” In the foregoing embodiment, at least one of the magnet features 606, 608 comprises a magnet, and the other magnet feature 606, 608 may be a magnet or a paramagnet. Typical paramagnets include common metals, such as iron, and various other known paramagnetic substances. Magnets may comprise any suitable magnetic material, as are well known in the art, such as those made using iron, ceramics, rare earth materials (e.g., samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron (a.k.a., NIB)). Electromagnets also may be used. In the shown embodiment, both magnet features 606, 608 comprise magnets that are oriented to attract to one another. If it is expected that the tool 602 may be used near magnetic or paramagnetic particles or debris (e.g., metal shavings) it may be desirable to make the tool's magnet feature 606 from a paramagnetic material so that it does not attract such debris during use.
In the foregoing embodiment, the tool 602 is held at the lower end in the lower receptacle 702 by gravity, and at the upper end by magnetic attraction between the magnet features 606, 608. The accessory tool 602 may be installed in the rear housing 104 by resting a front portion of the tool 602 into a corresponding lower portion 702 of the recess 604 and moving the accessory tool 602 into the recess 604 to engage the magnets or other fitment system. Preferably, no conventional snap fitment features are provided, so that the tool 602 is not frictionally engaged with the housing 104. However, in other embodiments, one or more snap fitment may be added to assist with retaining the tool 602 in place. For example, as an alternative or addition to a magnetic fitment system, the accessory tool 602 could be provided with one or more openings located on its rear face to be secured over one or more pairs of snap fingers (not shown) located within the recesses. Alternatively, the tool 602 may be hung on one or more hooks and pivoted into place or simply slid into a suitably shaped slot or hole in the rear housing 104.
While not necessary in all embodiments, the recess 604 may be provided on the front of the rear housing 104 so that the gravity does not tend to pull the tool 602 against the force generated by the magnet features 606, 608. In alternative embodiments, the lower mount 702 may comprise something other than the illustrated pocket. For example, the mount 702 may comprise an open platform having a detent that holds a corresponding protrusion on the tool 602, or it may comprise a post or protrusion that fits into a corresponding opening or detent on the tool 602. In addition, it is not required to form the recess 604 as a pocket into which the tool 602 fits or partially fits. Rather, the recess 604 may be omitted and replaced simply by a lower mount 702 to hold the bottom of the tool 602 and a magnet 608 to hold the top of the tool. It will also be appreciated that the lower mount 702 may be omitted, such that the tool 602 is held to the housing 104 solely by magnetic attraction between one or more pairs of magnetic features 606, 608.
The accessory tool 602 may comprise any conventional accessory tool for a vacuum cleaner, such as a crevice tool, upholstery brush, duster, or floor brush. In an exemplary embodiment, the accessory tool 602 comprises what is known as a turbo tool, as mentioned above, which is an accessory tool that uses a turbine that is operated by the suction air flow from the vacuum cleaner 100 to drive a brushroll located in the tool. The turbine can use clean air drawn from above the surface being cleaned, or dirty air drawn from the surface itself, and such devices are generally known in the art.
Another exemplary embodiment is shown in
Referring now to
Referring to
Generally referring to
If the wand 808 is fitted with a rigid pipe section, it may terminate at an accessory tool inlet nozzle, such as turbo tool 602 when connected to the wand 808. In the shown embodiment, a sliding brush tool 1002 may be attached to the wand 808. As shown, the sliding brush tool 1002 comprises a generally tubular brush body that slidingly fits over the outer the pipe 808b. The sliding brush tool 1002 may be securely fastened to the wand 808 using any conventional method, as are well-known in the art. The telescoping pipes (or tubes) 808a, 808b may be removably attached to the handle 106 when it is mounted to the rear housing 104, or they may be stored separately on the vacuum cleaner 100, as is also known in the art.
In an alternative embodiment, the wand 808 may be releasably attached to the handle 106, such as by providing a short mounting tube on the handle 106 to which the wand 808 is selectively attached. Such attachment may be, for example, by bayonet fittings, in which the parts are engaged by inserting one into the other and then rotating the parts into engagement and held by resilient snaps. Such devices and connectors are well-known in the art and it is not necessary to describe them in detail herein. In an embodiment in which the wand 808 is releasably attached to the handle 106, the device may be configured such that the wand can be removed with the handle, as described above, and then removed from the handle 106. Alternatively, the device may be adapted to allow the user to elect whether or not he would like to remove the wand with the handle at the time the handle is initially removed from the housing. For example, the latch 802 may be movable to a first position in which it disengages the handle 106 from the housing 104, but a part on the latch 802 holds the wand 808 in the housing so that the wand is not removed with the handle, and to a second position in which the latch 802 fully releases the handle 106 and the wand 808 to allow them to be removed at the same time. In the foregoing embodiment, the part on the latch 802 that holds the wand 808 in place in the first position may comprise a simple protrusion that is positioned over a corresponding lip at the upper end of the wand 808 to hold it in place. In this embodiment, the wand 808 may frictionally engage a short tube on the handle, and when the handle 106 is pulled out with the latch 802 in the first position, the short tube will pull free of the wand 808, but when the handle 106 is pulled out with the latch 802 in the second position the tube 808 remains connected to the short tube by friction. In another embodiment, the latch 802 may release the handle 106 and the wand 808 at the same time, but the user can elect to leave the wand 808 in the housing 104 by turning the handle 106 to disengage bayonet fittings between the handle 106 and the wand 808 before pulling the handle 106 out.
The latch 802 may secure the handle 106 using any arrangement of mechanical locks. For example, as shown, the latch 802 may have an opening that wraps around a protrusion on the handle 106 to hold it in place. As shown in
Referring now to
In an exemplary embodiment, the door 1204 is pivotally mounted to the front of the rear housing 104 at or near the base of the housing 104. The door 1204 may have a front surface 1206 and two side surfaces 1208. The front surface 1206 and/or side surfaces 1208 may be constructed with a transparent material, such as plastic, so that the user can monitor the dirt cup assembly 1200 to determine when it must be removed and emptied. The two side surfaces 1208 are generally perpendicular to the front surface 1206 and are coupled to the side surface of the rear housing 104 when the door 1204 is closed. When closed, the door 1204 creates a smooth, continuous shape with the rest of the rear housing 104. The door 1204 may further have a handle 1212 (as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the door assembly 1204 generally has three operating positions: a closed position, a partially-open position, and a fully-open position. The door assembly 1204 may be provided with a positive stop (not shown) to limit its range of movement, and travel stops that resiliently hold the door 1204 in one or more intermediate positions. Such stops are known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the door assembly 1204 includes a positive stop that allows the door assembly 1204 to be moved from the fully-closed position, to a partially-open position at about 30° relative to the rear housing 104, and to a fully-open position at about 45° relative to the rear housing 104. The door assembly 1204 should have an operating range so that the dirt cup assembly 1200 can be easily removed from the rear housing 104. When in the closed position, the door 1204 is configured to be latched, snap-fitted, friction-fitted, or otherwise securely closed against the rear housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the door assembly 1204 can support at least 2 times the weight of the dirt cup assembly 1204. In an alternative embodiment, the door 1204 may be detachable from the rear housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the chamber 1202 may be located in the rear housing 104 above where a post-motor filter chamber 1214 may be located. Generally, the rear housing 104 may be formed integrally or as an assembly of parts. In the exemplary embodiment, the dirt cup assembly chamber 12 is accessible through the door assembly 1204 described above.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, the door assembly 1204 may be omitted and the dirt cup assembly 1200 may be installed to the rear housing 104 in any conventional manner. For example, the dirt cup assembly 1200 may be simply slid into an opening in the rear housing 104 and retained by one or more latch or snaps, or by an elevator lock, as known in the art. In still other embodiments, the dirt cup assembly 1200 may be replaced by a conventional bag filter assembly or other kinds of air filtering device.
Referring back to
Referring to
The fan and motor may be oriented such that the motor shaft and fan impeller rotate about a generally vertical axis that is generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rear housing 104. Moreover, the fan and motor may be fluidly located between the nozzle inlet 310 (
As noted above, an embodiment of the vacuum cleaner 100 may include one or more post-motor filter chambers 1214, if desired. Such a post-motor filter chamber 1214 may be mounted on the front of the rear housing 104 or elsewhere. In addition, this chamber 1214 may be shaped to encourage even distribution of air across a filter mounted therein. If used, the post-motor filter chamber can house a filter made from any suitable filtration medium. For example, a post-motor filter may comprise a pleated high efficiency filter (such as a HEPA or ULPA filter), a flat filter, or the like. The post-motor filter may be accessed through a filter cover 1218, which may have an operating handle that is accessible at all times, or only when the dirt cup assembly 1200 is removed.
As shown in
Referring to
The secondary cyclone 1312 receives air exiting the primary cyclone 1302 and filters fine particles and dust from the airflow, and deposits such materials into a receptacle 1316. The secondary cyclone may include a funnel-shaped portion 1315, as known in the art. The receptacle 1316 may be covered by the lower wall 1305 for simultaneous emptying of both cyclones, or by a separate lower wall. In other embodiments, one or more separate and removable dirt-collection cups may be provided in place of the openable lower wall 1305, as well-known in the art.
In the shown embodiment, a single cover 1310 is provided over the primary and secondary cyclones 1302, 1312, but separate covers may be used instead. The cover 1310 may have a handle 1313 integrated into or attached to it, if desired. Also if desired, the cover 1310 may be removable to allow the operator to invert and empty the cyclones. In such an embodiment, an openable lower wall 1305 or separable dirt cups may not be required. The cover 1310 includes a first air passage (not shown) that directs air from a primary cyclone outlet 1303 to a secondary cyclone inlet (not shown). The cover 1310 also includes a second air passage (not shown) that conveys air from a secondary cyclone outlet to a dirt cup assembly outlet 1314. A filter 1320, such as a pleated filter or a two-tiered filter 1320 comprising a foam filter 1321 and a micron filter 1322, may be mounted to the dirt cup assembly 1200 and in fluid communication with the dirt cup assembly outlet 1314. In the shown embodiment, the filter 1320 is mounted to the rear side of the dirt cup assembly 1200 under a filter frame 1324. The filter frame 1324 is generally enclosed, but includes an opening (not shown) that mates with an air passage that leads to the fan motor assembly 1216.
In use, the fan motor assembly 1216 draws a dirt-laden stream of air into the primary cyclone 1302 for separation. The dirty air swirls in the primary cyclone 1302, removing larger particles and some smaller particles, passes through the screen 1306 and primary cyclone outlet 1303, and enters the secondary cyclone 1312 where it is further filtered before exiting to the filter 1320 and fan motor assembly 1216.
In an exemplary embodiment, the screen 1306 may be removably fastened to, and extend downwardly from, an upper wall of the primary cyclone 1302 and/or the cyclone lid 1310 (for purposes of this disclosure, the lid 1310 may include a portion of the top of the primary cyclone 1302 surrounding the primary cyclone outlet 1303, and both parts will simply be referred to as the cyclone lid 1310). In an exemplary embodiment, the screen 1306 is provided at its upper end 1307 with a plurality of mounting hooks 1308 to secure the screen 1306 to corresponding slots or grooves (not shown) in the cyclone lid 1310. The mounting hooks 1308 extend upwardly from and are spaced circumferentially about the open end. The mounting hooks 1308 may be arranged, however, such that the screen 1306 may be attached to the lid 1310 only in one or more discreet orientations. For example, the mounting hooks 1308 and their corresponding slots may not be spaced equi-angularly about the circumference of the upper end 1307, to ensure that the screen 1306 can only be mounted to the cyclone module 1310 in a particular orientation and spatial relationship. Alternatively, the mounting hooks 1308 and their corresponding slots may have a different shape or size, or may be staggered in the radial direction, to ensure that the screen 1306 is attached in a specific orientation. The foregoing arrangement may be desirable to ensure that the partial solid wall 1404 is mounted adjacent the inlet 1402. While not required, providing a partial solid wall 1404 may help establish a cyclonic airflow within the primary cyclone 1302, and may prevent dirt and debris from clinging to the screen 1306.
Each of the hooks 1308 has a circumferentially directed projection that defines a slot-like void between a bottom edge of the projection and the top edge of the open end 1307. As noted above, the hooks 1308 fit into corresponding slots in the lid 1310, and when the screen 1306 is rotated, the hooks 1308 slide over surfaces 1602 on the lid 1310 to hold the screen 1306 in place. If necessary, bumps or expanded surfaces may be provided on the hooks 1308 or elsewhere to engage a corresponding surface in a resilient (e.g., snap-fit) engagement, to resiliently hold the screen 1306 in place. Such hooks 1308 and corresponding slots are known in the art of vacuum cleaners.
In an exemplary embodiment, a feature may be provided to disengage the screen 1306 (or other filter) from the lid 1310 without having to directly contact the screen 1306. For example, referring to
As shown in
When a user attaches the screen 1306 to the cyclone lid 1310, the mounting hooks 1308 of the perforated screen 1306 press against the release mechanism protrusions 1606 and rotate the release lever 1505. When this happens, a protrusion 1510 on the release lever 1502 presses against a corresponding protrusion 1511 on the filter-in-place lever 1504 and rotates the filter-in-place lever 1504 against the bias of the spring 150 into a position in which the surface 1505 does not obstruct installation of the dirt cup assembly 1200, as shown in
Referring to
While the latch 802 may be used simply to secure the handle 106 to the housing 104, it has been found that the latch 802 may advantageously also be used to operate an air flow control valve that selectively directs airflow through the handle 106 when it is in use. The valve may be any suitable type that is capable of diverting flow from one path to another path, such as a rotary valve, slide valve, three way valve, etc. As shown in
The barrel valve 1910 has two terminal positions: one in which it blocks the floor inlet 1906 and allows air to pass from the accessory inlet 1908 to the outlet 1907 (the accessory cleaning position), and one in which it blocks the accessory inlet 1908 and allows air to pass from the floor inlet 1906 to the outlet 1907 (the floor cleaning position). The valve 1910 may be moved to either of these positions by rotating the valve lever 1902, and may be located in intermediate positions by partially pivoting the valve lever 1902.
The latch 802 is operatively connected to the valve lever 1902 so that the latch 802 generally simultaneously operates the valve 1910 and releases or secures the handle 106. In the embodiment of
In the foregoing embodiment, the latch 802 may be turned back towards the upright position after the handle 106 has been removed in order to regulate the flow of air through the handle. This may be advantageous, for example, to decrease suction when cleaning delicate objects, such as when dusting or cleaning blinds or curtains. In addition, the housing 104 may include one or more vents that allow air to flow into the handle 106 (or an extension wand attached to the handle) after the latch 802 is pivoted to the horizontal position but before the handle 106 is removed, in order to prevent the suction caused by moving the valve to the accessory cleaning position from holding the handle 106 in place in the housing 104. The latch 802 may be operated to release the handle 106 and direct the airflow through the handle 106 at approximately the same time. If desired, however, the portion of the latch 802 that holds the handle 106 in place, and the linkage connecting the latch 802 to the valve assembly 1900 may be modified to stagger the unlocking/locking and valve operating functions. For example, the latch 802 may be adapted to fully release the handle 106 before the valve changeover begins to occur, or vice versa. The latch 802 also may be configured to have a first position in which it releases the handle 106, but not an associated wand 808, and a second position in which it releases the handle 106 and an associated wand 808. Such variations will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure. It should also be observed that the illustrated valve assembly and operating latch 802 do not include springs, which can deform over time, but the absence of springs certainly is not required in all embodiments, and may be preferable under some circumstances.
In the foregoing Figures the various embodiments of latches are shown in alternate positions by dotted lines.
While the foregoing embodiments illustrate the use of a simple arm as the linkage 1804 that connects the latch to the valve, it will be appreciated that other kinds of linkage may be used, such as cables and the like. Also, the linkage may comprise a simple direct connection between the latch and the valve. That is to say, the valve and latch may be integrally connected or formed. In addition, the foregoing embodiments use a handle latch that is operated to control the valve, but it will be readily appreciated that the embodiments can be reversed such that a valve handle is used to remotely operate a handle latch. In either event, a single user interface, in the form of a moving handle or the like, is operated to substantially simultaneously operate an airflow control valve and release a handle from the vacuum cleaner housing.
The present disclosure describes a number of new, useful and nonobvious features and/or combinations of features that may be used alone, together, with upright vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners or other types of cleaning device, or in other ways. The embodiments described herein are all exemplary, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions in any way. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments shown herein can be used separately from one another, or in various combinations. It will be appreciated that the inventions described herein can be modified and adapted in various ways and for different uses, and all such modifications and adaptations are included in the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, other mechanisms for substantially simultaneously operating a handle release and a flow control valve may be used, and such devices may be hand-operated, pneumatically or electrically operated, foot operated, or operated by an automatic mechanical system (such as a mechanism that changes the valve and releases the handle when the vacuum is placed in the upright position). As another example, the filter screen mechanisms provided herein may be adapted to simultaneously work with multiple vacuum filters, or on filters used in any part of a single- or multi-stage cyclone. Of course, the foregoing filter mechanism, handle release mechanisms and valve control mechanisms may be used independently from one another. For example, a handle release provided herein may be used without a valve control mechanism.
Stephens, Benjamin, Sepke, Arnold
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Aug 25 2009 | SEPKE, ARNOLD | ELECTROLUX HOME CARE PRODUCTS, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 040311 | /0931 | |
Dec 23 2009 | STEPHENS, BENJAMIN | ELECTROLUX HOME CARE PRODUCTS, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 040311 | /0931 | |
Feb 28 2014 | MIDEA AMERICA, CORP. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Dec 27 2016 | ELECTROLUX HOME CARE PRODUCTS, INC | MIDEA AMERICA, CORP | NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 048453 | /0198 | |
Dec 27 2016 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc | MIDEA AMERICA, CORP | NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 048453 | /0198 |
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