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Patent 2008802 Summary

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Claims and Abstract availability

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2008802
(54) English Title: VACUUM CLEANER SWITCH
(54) French Title: INTERRUPTEUR D'ASPIRATEUR
Status: Dead
Bibliographic Data
(52) Canadian Patent Classification (CPC):
  • 15/53.2
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • A47L 9/28 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • JAILOR, JOHN J. (United States of America)
(73) Owners :
  • JAILOR, JOHN J. (Not Available)
  • SCOTT FETZER COMPANY (THE) (United States of America)
(71) Applicants :
(74) Agent: MACRAE & CO.
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(22) Filed Date: 1990-01-29
(41) Open to Public Inspection: 1991-07-29
Availability of licence: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): No

(30) Application Priority Data: None

Abstracts

English Abstract


VACUUM CLEANER SWITCH

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A control switch is disclosed for a two-
speed vacuum cleaner motor and the like. The switch
provides three sensors which operate in response to
the mounting of three different types of accessories
on a vacuum cleaner. One sensor causes low motor
speed operation when an accessory is mounted requiring
low speed operation. Another sensor operates to
provide high speed motor operation when a high speed
accessory is mounted. The third sensor prevents motor
operation when an accessory is not mounted on the
outlet of the vacuum cleaner. The control switch
provides a high speed/low speed switch and a power
switch. The power switch is automatically moved to
its open or OFF position in response to the mounting
of an accessory. Consequently, the high speed/low
speed switch cannot operate to start the motor, and is
therefore provided with low cost contacts. The con-
trol switch and motor provide plug-type connectors
which automatically connect the internal motor wiring
when the switch is installed.


Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


21
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a two-speed
motor connected to drive a fan, a control switch
operating to turn said motor on and off and to operate
said motor at a selected one of the said two speeds,
said vacuum cleaner providing an inlet through which
air drawn in by said fan and an outlet through which
air is discharged by said fan, first and second acces-
sories selectively mountable on said inlet, said
control switch operating said motor at a first speed
of said two speeds when said first accessory is
mounted on said inlet and operating said motor at a
second speed of said two speeds when said second
accessory is mounted on said inlet, a third accessory
removably mounted on said outlet, said control switch
permitting operation of said motor only when one of
said first or second accessories is mounted on said
inlet and said third accessory is mounted on said
outlet.

2. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim
1, wherein said control switch is manually movable
between a first position in which said motor is on and
a second position in which said motor is off, said
control switch being manually movable to said first
position only after an accessory is mounted on said
inlet and said outlet.

22
3. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim
2, wherein mounting of an accessory on either of said
inlet or said outlet automatically turns said control
switch to said second position to prevent operation of
said motor.

4. A vacuum cleaner comprising an electric
motor-driven fan, an inlet through which air is drawn
when said motor operates, an outlet through which air
is discharged when said motor operates, a control
switch manually operable between an ON position and an
OFF position to turn said motor on and off, an inlet
accessory removably mounted on said inlet, and an
outlet accessory removably mounted on said outlet,
said control switch being movable to said ON position
only when said inlet and outlet accessories are mount-
ed.

5. A vacuum cleaner as set forth in claim
4, wherein mounting of either accessory while said
control switch is in said ON position operates to move
said control switch to said OFF position.

23
6. A control switch for an electrical
appliance having a removable accessory comprising a
two-pole ON/OFF switch, each pole including two con-
tacts with at least one contact of each pole being
manually movable between an ON position and an OFF
position, the other contact of at least one of said
poles being movable to a disabled position in which it
cannot close with the associated of said one contact
when an accessory is not mounted and being movable to
an enabled position in which it can close with said
associated one contact in response to mounting of said
accessory.


7. A switch as set forth in claim 6, where-
in said one contacts are moved to said OFF position in
response to the mounting of said accessory.


8. A switch as set forth in claim 7, where-
in said control switch provides a speed selector
switch operable to a high speed position when high
speed operation of said appliance is required and a
low speed position when low speed operation of said
appliance is required, said speed control switch being
automatically movable to said high speed position in
response to the mounting of an accessory on said
appliance requiring high speed operation thereof and
automatically movable to said low speed position when

24

an accessory is mounted on said appliance requiring
low speed operation.
9. A switch according to claim 8, wherein
said speed selector switch does not operate to start
and stop said appliance.

10. A switch as set forth in claim 6,
wherein said switch provides a body, and sensors
extending from said body movable relative thereto in
response to the mounting of said associated accessory
and being connected to move said other contact of said
one pole to said enabled position in response to
mounting of said accessory.

11. A switch as set forth in claim 6,
wherein the other contact of the other of said poles
is movable to a disabled position in which it cannot
close with the associated of said one contacts when an
associated accessory is not mounted and being movable
to an enabled position in which it can close with said
associated one contact in response to mounting of said
associated accessory.



12. A control switch for electric motor-
driven appliances comprising a body, a power switch in
said body movable between an ON position and an OFF
position, a speed selector switch in said body movable
between a high speed position and a low speed posi-
tion, sensing means on said body operable in response
to the mounting of an accessory on said appliance
requiring high speed operation to operate said speed
selector switch to cause high appliance operating
speed and operable in the absence of said accessory on
said appliance to prevent said power switch from
closing, mounting of said accessory on said appliance
while said power switch is in said ON position causing
said power switch to move to said OFF position.

13. A control switch as set forth in claim
12 for use on an appliance having internal wiring,
said control switch providing connectors accessible
from the exterior of said body automatically connect-
ing said control switch to said internal wiring when
said control switch is mounted on said appliance.

14. A switch for electric motor powered
appliances having a high and low speed electric motor,
a first demountable accessory requiring low motor
speed and a second demountable accessory requiring
high motor speed, comprising a switch housing, a

26
manually operable power switch in said housing oper-
able to ON and OFF positions to turn said motor on and
off, a speed selector switch operable in a first
condition to cause low speed motor operation and a
second condition to cause high speed motor operation,
said speed selector switch assuming said one condition
when said first accessory is mounted and assuming said
second condition when said second accessory is mount-
ed, said power switch being open to prevent motor
operation except when an accessory is mounted.

15. A switch as set forth in claim 14,
wherein mounting of either accessory while said power
switch is in said ON position causes movement of said
power switch to said OFF position.

16. A switch as set forth in claim 14,
wherein said power switch is maintained open while
said selector switch is changed between said first and
second conditions.

17. A switch as set forth in claim 14,
wherein said power switch provides first and second
movable contacts which engage when said motor operates
and are separable to prevent motor operation, said

27

first contact being movable to an operative position
in which engagement can be made with said second
contact in response to the mounting of either of said
accessories and being movable to a disabled position
in which engagement with said second contact cannot
occur when an accessory is not mounted.
18. A switch as set forth in claim 14,
wherein said appliance includes a third demountable
accessory, said power switch being operable to close
and operate said motor only when said third accessory
is mounted.

19. A switch as set forth in claim 14,
wherein said power switch is a double pole switch
operable when in said OFF position to completely
isolate said motor from a source of electric power.
20. A switch as set forth in claim 19,
wherein an appliance includes a third demountable
accessory, one pole of said power switch being ren-
dered disabled when either said first or second acces-
sories are not mounted, the other of said poles being
disabled when said third accessory is not mounted.

28
21. A switch as set forth in claim 14,
wherein said appliance is a suction cleaner and pro-
vides a fan driven by said motor, said first accessory
being a floor nozzle containing a beater brush driven
by said motor, said second accessory being a suction
hose.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


r~t~5~




VACUUM CLEANER SWITCH

1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-
2 This invention relates generally to control
3 switches, and more particularly to an improved control
4 switch for appliances such as suction cleaners and the
like.

6 Prior Art

7 It is known to provide suction cleaners with
8 electric motor-driven fans that operate at a first low
9 speed for cleaning operations using a removable first
attachment, such as a rug cleaning nozzle having a
11 powered brush or beater, and that operate the fan at a
12 second high speed to create more suction when the
13 cleaner is used with removable attachments which rely
14 upon suction or vacuum alone to remove dirt or dust.
It is also known to provide a speed selector
16 switch which automatically changes the motor speed in
17 response to the mounting of a given attachment on the
18 cleaner so that the fan automatically operates at the
19 correct speed for the particular attachment which is
mounted on the cleaner.
21 It is also known to arrange the speed selec-
22 tor switch so that the fan motor cannot run unless an
23 attachment is mounted at the suction end of the clean-
24 er. Examples of suction cleaners providing such
controls are illustrated and described in United

,.,. i : -


.. . . .

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1 States Letters Patents Nos. 3,319,282; 4,336,626; and
2 4,398,316 (all assigned to the assignee of the present
3 invention). such patents are incorporated herein by
4 reference in their entirety.
In each of these systems, the speed control
6 switch is separate from the main power switch, whlch
7 is manually operated by the cleaner user to start and
8 stop the cleaner. In such systems, the installation
9 of an attachment while the main power switch is ln its
ON position causes the selector switch to start the
11 motor. Similarly, if an attachment is removed while
12 the motor is running, the selector switch operates to
13 stop the motor. Consequently, the contacts for the
14 selector switch can operate to start and stop the
motor. Therefore, the contacts of the s~lector switch
16 must be of sufficient quality to withstand motor
17 startlng and stopping functlons.
18 Further, the motor can start, in some in-
19 stances, before the attachment is fully installed,
making it difficult to complete the installation of
21 the attachment. Additionally, such systems only
22 function in response to the installation or removal of
23 an attachment from the suction end of the cleaner.
24 Therefore, cleaner operation can occur even when a
filter bag or other attachment is not mounted at the
26 discharge end of the cleaner.




..

o~




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

2 There are a number of aspects to the present
3 invention. In accordance with one important aspect of
4 this invention, a manually operable power switch is
combined with a speed selector switch so that a single
6 switch system functions to automatically establish the
7 proper motor speed for the particular attachment
8 mounted on the cleaner, and also provides a switch
9 structure for manually turning the cleaner motor on
and off.
11 In accordance with another aspect of this
12 invention, a switch system is provided for motor~
13 driven suction cleaners or the like combining a manu-
14 ally operable power switch and a speed selector switch
in which the speed selector switch cannot operate to
16 start and stop the motor. Since the speed selector
17 switch contact cannot be operated to start and stop
18 the motor, less expensive contacts can be provided in
19 the selector switch.
In accordance with another important aspect
21 of this invention, a combined power and speed selector
22 switch ls provided for suction cleaners or the like in
23 which the motor cannot start unless the power switch
24 is manually operated to an ON position after the
attachment is installed.
26 In accordance with still another important
27 aspect of this invention, a combined power switch and
28 speed selector switch is provided for suction cleaners
29 or the like in which one or more of the power switch

.. .




~ , . , .. , .. : . . :

2~08802




1 contacts is disabled when an attachment is not proper-
2 ly mounted on the cleaner. This prevents motor opera~
3 tion unless an attachment is properly mounted on an
4 associated cleaner.
S In accordance with a still further important
6 aspect of this invention, a power switch is provided
7 for suction cleaners or the like in which the mounting
8 of the attachment on the cleaner automatlcally moves
9 the power switch to its open motor OFF position. The
illustrated embodiment of this invention provides a
11 control switch system for vacuum cleaners and the like
12 having a double-pole power switch and a speed selector
13 switch mounted within a single body. The power switch
14 is a manually operable switch which sequentially moves
between an ON and an OFF position each time the swltch
16 operator is manually operated. The speed selector
17 switch operates automatlcally to provide the proper
18 fan speeds for the attachment or attachments mounted
19 on the cleaner.
For example, when a carpet cleaning nozzle
21 attachment having a beater brush is mounted on the
22 cleaner, the selector switch causes the motor and fan
23 to operate at a slower speed. Conversely, when an
24 attachment which relies entirely on vacuum to pick up
dirt or dust is mounted on the cleaner, the selector
26 switch automatically causes the motor and the fan to
27 operate at a higher speed.
28 Sensors are provided which are engaged by
29 the mounted attachment and which move the selector
switch between its high speed and low speed conditions
31 so that the motor is automatically operated at the

.. .. .




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20Q8:802




1 proper speed for the particular attachment which is
2 mounted on the cleaner. These same sensors also move
3 one contact of the power switch to a position in which
4 the main power switch is open except when an attach-
ment is mounted on the suction end of the cleaner.
6 The illustrated embodiment also provides a
7 sensor which prevents motor operation when an attach-
8 ment is not mounted on the outlet or blower end of the
9 cleaner. Such outlet attachment may, for example, be
a filter bag or any other attachment which utilizes
11 cleaner exhaust air for its operation.
12 This outlet sensor also functions to move
13 one of the power switch contacts to a position in
14 which the main power switch is open to prevent motor
operation when an attachment is not mounted on the
16 cleaner outlet. Therefore, the cleaner cannot operate
17 unless attachments are mounted both on the cleaner
18 inlet and the cleaner outlet.
19 In the illustrated embodiment in which the
power switch is a double-pole switch, the sensors at
21 the suction end of the cleaner move a contact which is
22 part of one switch pole of the switch to an open or
23 disabled position and a sensor on the outlet moves a
24 contact which is part of the other switch pole to its
open or disabled position when associated accessories
26 are not mounted.
27 Further, the illustrated embodiment provides
28 a double-pole switch in which each pole includes two
29 movable contacts. One movable contact of each pole is
moved by a sensor in response to the mounting or
31 removal of an attachment. The other movable contact

` 20~8802


1 of each pole is moved by the manually operated switch
2 operator.
3 In the illustrated embodiment, the sensors
4 each provide a finger which automatically moves the
switch operator of the power switch to its switch-open
6 position in response to the mounting of any attach-
7 ment. Therefore, the motor cannot start while an
8 attachment is being mounted. Consequently, there is
9 no interference with the mounting of an attachment by
the premature starting of the motor. In the illus-
11 trated embodiment, the motor can only be started by
12 the manual operation of the power switch after attach-
13 ments are mounted on both the inlet and the outlet of
14 the cleaner.
With this invention, an efficient, reliable,
16 and low-cost switch system is provided which is par-
17 ticularly suited for use on suction cleaners having
18 removable attachments.
19 These and other aspects of this invention
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and are
21 more fully described in the following specification.


22 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

23 FIG. 1 is a view of a switch in accordance
24 with this invention and a typical motor and fan unit
illustrated in full-line prior to installation of the :
26 switch on the motor and in phantom illustrating the
27 position of the switch mounted on the motor;
- .
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1 FIG. la is a perspective view of a vacuum
2 cleaner providing a switch and motor fan unit il-
3 lustrated in FIG. l; ;~
4 FIG. 2 is a plan view, with parts removed
for purposes of illustration, showing the position of
6 the swltch components when accessories are not in-
7 stalled on either the inlet or the outlet of the
8 cleaner and when the main power switch ls in the OFF
9 position;
FIG. 2A is a line diagram of the motor and
11 switch in the condition of FIG. 2;
12 FIG. 2B is a schematic wiring diagram lllus-
13 trating the condition of FIGS. 2 and 2A;
14 FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B are respectively simllar
to FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B, but illustrate the condltion
16 in which a high-speed accessory is mounted on the
17 inlet of the cleaner, an accessory ls mounted on the
18 outlet of the cleaner, and the power swltch is in the
19 OFF positlon;
FIGS. 4, 4A, and 4B are respectively similar
21 to the corresponding preceding flgures, but illustrate
22 the swltch in a condition in which a high-speed acces-
23 sory is mounted on the lnlet of the cleaner, an acces-
24 sory ls mounted on the outlet of the cleaner, and the
power switch is in the ON posltion;
26 FIGS. 5, SA, and 5~ are respectively simllar
27 to the preceding flgures, but illustrate the switch in
28 a condition in which a low-speed accessory is mounted ~ .
29 on the inlet, an accessory is mounted on the outlet,
and the power switch is in the ON position;




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- 2008802



1FIGS. 6, 6A, and 6B are respectively similar
2to the preceding figures, but illustrate the switch in
3a condltion in which an accessory ls not mounted on
4the inlet, an accessory ls mounted on the outlet, and
5the main power switch is in its ON posltlon; and
6FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B are respectively similar
7to the preceding figures, but illustrate the switch ln
8a condition in which the low-speed accessory is
9mounted on the inlet of the cleaner, an accessory is
10not mounted on the outlet of the cleaner, and the main
11power switch is in its ON position.


12DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

13FIG. 1 illustrates a control switch 10
14incorporating the present invention prlor to its
15installation on the motor. The switch provides a
16switch body 11 having two forwardly extending sensors
1712 and 13 whlch are longitudinally movable with re-
18spect to the body 11 between an extended position
19whlch they assume when an accessory is not mounted on
20the lnlet 5 of the cleaner 6 (illustrated iln FIa. la)
21and retracted posltlons to whlch they move ln response
22to engagement with an inlet accessory 7 mounted on the
23cleaner. As described in detail below, the sensor 12
24is engaged and moved to its retracted posltlon by an
25accessory requlring high speed motor operation. The
26sensor 13 is engaged and moved to its retracted
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1 positlon by an accessory requirlng low speed motor
2 operation. ~ .
3 In addition, an outlet sensor 14 extends
4 from the switch body 11 and is movable relative there- ;
to between a retracted position which it assumes when
6 an accessory is not mounted on the outlet 8 of the
7 cleaner and an extended or operative position which it
8 assumes when it is engaged and moved to the extended
9 position by an accessory 9 mounted on the outlet 8 of
the cleaner.
11 Finally, the switch provides a power switch
12 operator 16 which extends from the body 10 and is
13 longitudinally movable to sequentially operate a power
1~ switch contalned withln the control in a stepwise
manner. A power switch operator is connected to a
16 manually operated ON/OFF switch pedal on the cleaner,
17 and each time the pedal is depressed, the power switch
18 is opened or closed, provided the proper accessories
19 are mounted. Also provided on a control switch is an
electrical power receptacle 17 for connection with the
21 power cord for the cleaner.
22 The underside of the power switch provides
23 plug-in type connectors 18 which mate with connectors ~;:
24 18a on the motor body so that the mounting of the
switch on the body automatically provides most of the
26 electrical connectlons with the motor. In addition,
27 two wire leads 21 and 22 extend from the switch body
28 to provide connections with the armature brushes 23
29 and 24 (illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B) which connect
to the armature 26 of the motor. Consequently, the
31 control switch 10 can be easily mounted on the motor ~ ~ ;




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1 and the electrlcdl connections between the swltch and
2 the motor are completed by merely connecting the wire
3 leads 21 and 22 to the associated armature brushes 23
4 and 24.
It should also be understood that suitable
6 linkages are provided to connect the sensors 12
7 through 14 and the main switch operator 16 for opera-
8 tion of each of them when an appropriate accessory ls
9 installed and to connect to the ON/OFF switch button
of the cleaner. For purposes of simplicity, such
11 linkages are not illustrated herein, but their ar-
12 rangement and operation are within the ordinary skill
13 of persons in the art.
14 Reference should now be made to FIG. 2,
which illustrates the basic structure of the control
16 switch, and to FIGS. 2A and 2B, which illustrate the
17 switch in combination with a two-speed series parallel
18 motor. In FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B, the switch components
19 are lllustrated in the condition they assume when an
accessory is not mounted on either the inlet or the
21 outlet, and in which the main power switch is in the
22 OFF position. -
23 Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a control
24 switch provides two basic switch systems. One is the
main power switch 27, and the other is the high-
26 speed/low-speed switch 28. The power switch is a
27 double-pole switch having four separate, movable
28 contact support arms 31, 32, 33, and 34. The contact
29 support arm 31 connects to one side 36 of the power
supply, and the contact support arm 33 is connected to
31 the other side 37 of the power supply. The contact

.
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2008802
11


1 support arm 32 is connected to the wire lead 22, and
2 the contact support arm 34 is connected through inter-
3 nal motor winding line 38 to one side of a field coil
4 39.
The high-speed/low-speed switch 28 also
6 includes four contact support arms 41, 42, 43, and 44.
7 In this switch, the two contact support arms 41 and 44
8 are not movable and the two contact support arms 42
9 and 43 are movable.
The contact support arm 41 is connected to
11 the wire lead 21 and is also connected to internal
12 motor wiring indicated at 46 to one end of a second
13 field winding 47. The contact support arm 42 is
14 movable and connects through internal motor wiring
indicated at 48 to one end of a third field coil 49.
16 The contact support arm 43 is also movable and is
17 connected through internal motor wiring indicated at
18 51 to the other end of the field coll 47.
19 The contact support arm 44 is connected
through internal motor wiring indicated at 52 to the
21 other end of the field coil 49, one end of a fourth
22 field coil 53 and one side of a cleaner headlight 54.
23 The other side of the cleaner headlight 54 is con-
24 nected by internal motor wiring 56 to the other side
of the coil 39 and the other side of the coil 53. In
26 the condition illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the two
27 movable contact support arms 42 and 43 engage and all
28 of the field coils 47, 49, 52, and 39 are connected in
29 series. This is the manner in which the field coils

are energized for slow speed operation of the motor.
31 However, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the




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12 2008802


1 power switch 24 is open, so motor operatlon does not
2 occur.
3 Referring to FIG. 2, the low-speed sensor 13
4 extends into the body 10 and is connected at its inner
end with a first sllde member 61. This slide member
6 61 is biased to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, by a
7 spring 62. The sensor 12 is also provided with a
8 first leg 63 having an upstanding projection 64 ex-
9 tending up between two movable contact support arms 42
and 43 adjacent to offsets therein 42a and 42b. The
11 sensor 12 is also provided with a second leg 66 ex-
12 tending into alignment with an engaging and mating
13 surface on a second slide 67. The slide 67 is also
14 biased to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, by a spring
68.
16 The inner end of the second sensor 13 con-
17 nects with the end of the second slide 67 and is
18 normally held in an extended position by the spring
19 68, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
The second slide 67 is formed with gear
21 teeth 69 which mesh with the teeth of a gear 71 pi-
22 voted in the switch body for rotation about the axis
23 72. Mounted within the switch body 10 is a third
24 slide 73, also fcrmed with gear teeth 74 which mesh
with the opposite side of the pivoted gear 71. The
26 interconnection between the two slides 67 and 73
27 provided by the pivoted gear 71 causes the slide 73 to
28 move to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, when the slide
29 67 moves to the left.
The slide 73 is provided with an upstanding
31 projection 76 which engages an offset 77 in the




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2008802
13


1 contact support arm 34 and allows the contact support
2 arm 34 to move to a disabled position, illustrated in
3 FIG. 2. However, movement of the slide 73 to the
4 right, as viewed in FIG. 2, in response to the instal-
lation of an accessory on the inlet of the cleaner
6 causes the projection to move to the right and deflect
7 the contact support arm 34 in an anticlockwise direc-
8 tion to an enabled position in which such contact
9 support arm can be engaged by the contact support arm
33.
11 The slide 73 also provides a resilient
12 pusher or finger 78 which operates to engage the power
13 switch operating cam 79 and move it to the OFF posi-
14 tion illustrated in FIG. 2 if the power switch operat-
ing cam is in the ON position when an accessory is
16 being mounted on the inlet of the cleaner. This
17 prevents the premature starting of the motor during
18 installation of an accessory on the inlet of the
19 cleaner by automatically moving the power switch
operating cam to its OFF position as an accessory is
21 mounted on the inlet of the cleaner.
22 The outlet sensor 14, which projects beyond
23 the face of the switch body, is provided by an outlet
24 sensor lever 81 pivoted in the switch body 10 for
pivotal oscillating movement about an axis 82. This
26 lever at its opposite end is provided with a projec-
27 tion 83 which engages a fourth slide 84 biased to the
28 right as viewed in FIG. 2 by a spring 85. This slide
29 84, like the slide 73, is provided with an upstanding
projection 86 which engages an offset 87 in the con-

~31 tact support arm 32. Here again, the spring arm 32




.

14 2008~02


and the pro~ection 86 are proportioned so that the
2spring arm 32 moves to its disabled positlon when the
3slide 84 is in its rlghthand position, which it as-
4sumes when an accessory is not mounted on the outlet
5of the cleaner. However, when the slide 84 moves to
6the left in response to the mounting of an accessory
7on the outlet of the cleaner, the pro~ectlon 86 moves
8the contact support arm 32 to its enabled position, in
9which it can be engaged by the contact support arm 31.
10This slide also provides a flexible pusher
11finger 88 which is engageable with the power switch
12operating cam 79 and operates to move such cam to the
13power switch open position illustrated in FIG. 2 when
14it moves to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 during the
15installation of an accessory on the cleaner outlet.
16The power switch operatlng cam ls rotated
17through 90 degrees in a stepwise manner each tlme the
18power switch operator 16 is moved to the right through
19an engagement between the power switch operator 16 and
20a step swltch operating wheel 91.


21Operation

22In the condition illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2A,
23and 2B, the power switch 24 is open and the high-
24speed/low-speed selector switch 28 connects the four
25field coils 47, 49, 53, and 39 in series for low~speed
26operation of the motor. However, in such condition,
27in which there are no accessories installed on elther

. .




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2008802


1 the lnlet or the outlet of the cleaner, the sensors 12
2 and 13 are extended and the sensor 14 is in its non-
3 operative position. In such condltion, the two con-
4 tact support arms 31 and 34 are both in their disabled
position so that if the power switch operating cam
6 were rotated to a switch-on position in which it
7 extended perpendicular to the illustrated position of
8 FIG. 2, the movable contact support arms 32 and 33
9 would not engage the associated contacts 31 and 34.
Therefore, even if the power switch were operated to a
11 closed position, it would not cause operation of the
12 motor.
13 FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B illustrate the condition
14 of the operating switch when a high-speed accessory is
mounted on the inlet of the cleaner and an outlet
16 accessory is mounted on the outlet of the cleaner.
17 When the high-speed accessory is mounted on the inlet
18 of the cleaner, it causes the high-speed sensor 12 to
19 move to the left. such movement moves the projection
64 past adjacent offsets 42a and 43a in the two con-
21 tact support arms 42 and 43, causing the contact
22 support arm 42 to move into engagement with the con-
23 tact support arm 41, and also causing the contact
24 support arm 43 to move into engagement with the con-
tact support arm 44. This changes the condition of
26 the high-speed/low-speed switch from the series con-
27 nection of the field coils of the motor to a high-
28 speed connection in which the two field coils 47 and
29 49 are connected in parallel with the two parallel
connected coils 47 and 49 in series with the coils 53

31 and 39 for high-speed operation of the motor.




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1 The movement of the high-speed sensor 12 to
2 the left also operates through the second leg 66 to
3 move the second slide 67 to the left. This, in turn,
4 through the action of the gear 71, moves the slide 73
S to the right, causing its projection 76 to move the
6 contact support arm 34 to its enabled position in
7 which it can be engaged by the power switch contact
8 support arm 33. If, for any reason, the power switch
9 operating cam 79 is in the ON position during the
installation of an accessory on the inlet, the move-
11 ment of the slide 73 to the right causes the pusher
12 flnger 78 to automatically turn the power switch
13 operating cam to an OFF position prior to the movement
1~ of the contact support arm 34 to its enabled position.
This ensures that the motor will not prematurely start
16 during the installation of an accessory on the inlet.
17 In FIG. 3, the outlet accessory sensor 14 is
18 also moved to its operative position in which the
19 slide 74 has been moved to the left. In such posi-
tion, the contact support arm 32 of the power switch
21 is moved to its enabled position, in which it can be
22 engaged by the contact support arm 31 when the power
23 switch i5 turned to an ON position by the rotation of
24 the power switch operating cam 79.
Here again, however, if the power switch
26 operating cam 79 is in an ON position at the time the
27 accessory is being installed on the outlet of the
28 cleaner, the pusher finger 88 automatically operates
29 to move the power switch operating cam 79 to its OFF
position before the contact support arm 32 is moved to
31 its enabled position. Therefore, premature starting




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1 of the motor cannot occur during the installatlon o~
2 an outlet accessory.
3 In the condition illustrated in FIG. 3, in
4 which an accessory is mounted on both the cleaner
inlet and the cleaner outlet, it is merely necessary
6 to rotate the power switch operating cam 79 through 90
7 degrees by moving the power switch operator 16 inward-
8 ly and the motor commences at that time to rotate at
9 high speed.
When the power switch is turned on while the
11 switch components are in the position of FIGS. 3, 3A
12 and 3B, the power switch operating cam 79 moves the
13 contact support arm 31 into engagement with the en-
14 abled contact support arm 32 and the contact support
arm 33 into engagement with the enabled contact sup-
16 port arm 34. In this condition, illustrated in FIGS.
17 4, 4A and 4B, the motor runs at its high speed.
18 FIGS. 5, 5A, and SB illustrate the operating
19 conditions when the motor is operated at slow speed.
In such condition, the high-speed sensor remains in
21 its extended position when a low-speed accessory is
22 installed. Therefore, the operating projection 64 is
23 in its low-speed operating position and the two con-
24 tact support arms 42 and 43 engage each other. This
connects all of the fleld coils 47, 49, 53, and 39 in
26 series. In such condition, the low-speed sensor 13
27 has been moved to the left by the low-speed accessory,
28 so the slide 73 has moved to the right to position the
29 contact support arm 34 in its enabled position, in
which it engages the contact support arm 33 in a power
31 switch ON condition. Similarly, in FIG. 5, the outlet

2008~02
18


1 sensor 14 establishes that an outlet accessory is
2 installed on the cleaner outlet and the contact sup-
3 port arm 32 is in its enabled position and engages the
4 contact support arm 31.
In both running conditions, the headlight of
6 the cleaner 54 is energized.
7 FIGS. 6, 6A, and 6B illustrate the condition
8 of the control switch if the power switch operating
9 cam 79 is in its ON position, but there is no acces-
sory installed on the inlet of the cleaner. Because
11 no accessory is installed on the lnlet of the cleaner,
12 both of the sensors 12 and 13 are extended. In such
13 position, the contact support arm 34 is in its dis-
14 abled position and is therefore not engaged by the
contact support arm 33 even though the power switch
16 operating cam 79 is rotated to its operative position.
17 Therefore, the absence of an accessory on the outlet
18 of the cleaner prevents operation of the m~tor.
19 FIGS. 7, 7A, and 7B illustrate a control
switch condition which exists when an accessory is
21 mounted on the inlet of the cleaner but an accessory
22 is not mounted on the outlet of the cleaner. In this
23 particular illustrated condition, a low-speed acces-
24 sory is mounted on the lnlet so that the contact
support arms 42 and 43 engage. However, because there
26 is no accessory at the cleaner outlet, the slide 84
27 remains in its righthand position and the contact
28 support arm 32 remains in its disabled position,
29 preventing full closure of the power switch and there-
by preventing operation of the motor.




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19 2~08~02


1With the pre~ent invention, a slmple, low-
2cost control switch is provided which can be easily
3installed and interconnected with the motor. Further,
4since motor operation can be instituted only by the
5power swltch 24, and not by the high-speed/low-speed
6selector switch 28, the contacts of the high-
7speed/low-speed selector switch are formed of less
8expensive material to reduce the cost of the control
9 switch.
10Still further, with this control switch, the
11motor cannot be operated unless an accessory is
12mounted on the inlet of the cleaner and the outlet of
13the cleaner. Further, with this control switch, the
14proper operating speed of the motor ls automatically
15provided by the particular accessory installed on the
16inlet. For example, when a floor cleaning nozzle
17having a beater brush therein is installed on the
18cleaner inlet, it automatically establishes the slow
19speed operation of the motor. However, when an acces-
20sory, such as a hose accessory, is connected to the
21cleaner inlet, high-speed operation is automatically
22provided.
23Finally, the control ~witch functions to
24prevent premature operation of the motor ln the event
25that the power switch is left in the ON position
26during the lnstallatlon of an accessory. The instal-
27lation itself automatically moves the power switch to
28the OFF position, preventing premature motor opera-
29tion. This also ensures that the engagement of the
30various contacts of the high-speed/low-speed switch
31cannot cause the motor to start. Therefore the




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1 contacts of the hlgh-speed/low-speed switches 28 are
2 never subjected to the high surge of electrical power
3 occurring during motor starting and stopping opera-
4 tions.
Although the preferred embodiment of this
6 invention has been shown and described, it should be
7 understood that various modifications and rearranqe-
8 ments of the parts may be resorted to without depart-
9 ing from the scope of the invention as disclosed and
claimed herein.




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Representative Drawing
A single figure which represents the drawing illustrating the invention.
Administrative Status

For a clearer understanding of the status of the application/patent presented on this page, the site Disclaimer , as well as the definitions for Patent , Administrative Status , Maintenance Fee  and Payment History  should be consulted.

Administrative Status

Title Date
Forecasted Issue Date Unavailable
(22) Filed 1990-01-29
(41) Open to Public Inspection 1991-07-29
Dead Application 1992-07-29

Abandonment History

There is no abandonment history.

Payment History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Amount Paid Paid Date
Application Fee $0.00 1990-01-29
Registration of a document - section 124 $0.00 1990-08-10
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
JAILOR, JOHN J.
SCOTT FETZER COMPANY (THE)
Past Owners on Record
None
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Representative Drawing 1999-07-14 1 30
Cover Page 1991-07-29 1 21
Abstract 1991-07-29 1 35
Claims 1991-07-29 8 262
Drawings 1991-07-29 13 470
Description 1991-07-29 20 782