Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02239535 1998-06-03
TITLE: WASTE DISPOSAL DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to vacuum collection systems
for the disposal of waste. More particularly, it relates to
a receptacle by which waste may be delivered into a
household-type central vacuum cleaning system, or a portable
vacuum cleaner that is in storage, by sweeping the waste into
a floor-mounted inlet.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Many houses today are equipped with central vacuum
cleaning systems. Such systems operate on the basis of a
suction apparatus installed in a remote location within the
house, and a network of air-tight pipes that connect with
various rooms in the house. These pipes terminate in
individual, wall-mounted, inlets to which suction hoses are
connected.
A convenience of such central vacuum cleaning
systems is that a user need not carry a stand-alone vacuum
cleaner from room to room. Rather, only the hose and an
associated wand need be carried to the location to be cleaned.
Nevertheless, even the act of fetching such hose and wand can
be an inconvenience.
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Prior art patents such as U.S. 3,027,587 and
3, 027, 588 to Bierstock, U. S. 5, 408, 721 to Wall, U. S. 5, 279, 016
to Klassen, U.S. 5,504,967 to Graham, and the present
applicant's own earlier Canadian application 2,105,554, laid-
open on 4 March, 1995 all disclose vacuum inlets in the form
of a floor-mounted receptacle through which trash may be swept
for delivery to a vacuum cleaning suction source.
The present invention addresses the need for a
floor-mounted vacuum inlet or sweeping suction inlet of an
improved design that can be connected to a central vacuum
cleaning suction source. In particular, this invention
relates to a receptacle for receiving waste that does not
entail the transport of the normal hose and wand tools to the
site being cleaned.
A further aspect of this invention provides for an
arrangement whereby the floor-mounted vacuum inlet may
accommodate and operate a traditional flexible vacuum hose
with a suction wand.
The invention in its general form will first be
described, and then its implementation in terms of specific
embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings
following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to
demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of
its implementation. The invention in its broadest and more
specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in
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each of the individual claims which conclude this
Specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention a floor-mounted waste
receptacle for a suction-based vacuum cleaning system is
provided with a sealing outer door and an electrical switch
assembly where the user-activating portion of the electrical
switch assembly is carried by the door itself. More
particularly, the door is provided with an activation flange
extending along its length for ready opening and closing of
such door.
The waste receptacle of the invention is intended to
be located at floor level, preferably installed beneath an
existing household fixture, such as a kitchen counter. Its
mechanical dimensions also allow it to fit within a wall
framed with four inch (nominal) studs. By reason of this
location, the activation system of the invention provides
special convenience to users by reason of the fact that it may
be foot activated.
The waste receptacle has a waste transfer chamber
that is elevated above the plane of the floor to provide space
for a vacuum conduit coupling located on its lower side. A
conduit coupling is preferably also provided on the upper side
of the receptacle. With an enlarged receptacle an option for
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further multiple vacuum outlets may also be included. A
ramped surface rises from the floor level forward edge of the
suction inlet to merge with the elevated lower surface of the
transfer chamber.
Upon opening of the door, the vacuuming action of
the vacuum collecting system is automatically initiated by
means of a door-activated switch associated with such door
which switches the vacuum suction source "on" when the door is
opened. Closure of the door shuts the vacuum source "off".
In one application of the invention, the vacuum
cleaning suction source is located at a fixed, central place
within the building housing the system. In another
application of the invention, the vacuum suction source may be
provided by a portable vacuum cleaner that is stored in a
1 5 location where it is electrically and pneumatically coupled to
provide the vacuum suction upon which the invention relies.
A further feature of the invention is the inclusion
of a coupling means to convert the floor-mounted opening of
the receptacle to a circular orifice that is angled upwards
for engagement with a flexible vacuum hose that can terminate
in a suction wand. More particularly, this adaptive coupling
engages with, and seals against, the opening in the receptacle -
by being positioned between:
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(1) a lower, horizontal dust-receiving ramp extending
along the lower edge of the suction inlet opening
in the receptacle; and
(2) the receptacle door in its opened position.
The angled shape and position of the door as established by
the activation flange serve to locate and retain the coupling
in place. The retention of the coupling in place is further
assisted by the lower pressure condition developed therein
upon activation of the vacuum suction mechanism.
The foregoing summarizes the principal features of
the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention
may be further understood by the description of the preferred
embodiments, in conjunction with the drawings, which now
follow.
SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES -
Figure 1 a pictorial view of a prior art arrangement
of a portable vacuum cleaner stored in a kitchen cupboard and
connected electrically and pneumatically to serve as the
suction source for a floor-mounted vacuum receptacle.
Figure 2 is a schematic profile view of a prior art
arrangement for a floor-mounted vacuum receptacle connected to
a central vacuum suction source through a coupling and
conduits that extend downwardly from the receptacle, including
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the wiring that may be used to automatically activate on the
vacuum system when the door to the receptacle opens.
Figure 3 is a rear perspective, upper quadrant, view
of the receptacle of the invention with the door and switch
hardware removed.
Figure 4 is a front, upper quadrant, perspective
view of the receptacle of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the door with
gasket intended for mounting on the receptacle of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a front perspective view of the
receptacle of Figure 3, with the door of Figure 5 mounted
thereon in closed position and electrical hardware installed.
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the receptacle of
Figure 6 with the door in open position.
~15 Figure 8 is a side view of the details of the
electrical hardware on the receptacle of.Figure 6 in two
positions ~ r~o~~.rr :and ~rQ~~-~. .
Figure 9 is a side view of the receptacle of Figure
6 taken from the side opposite the electrical hardware with
the door in an open position.
Figure 10 is a side view of the receptacle of Figure '
6 taken from the side of the electrical hardware with the door
in an open position.
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Figure 11 is a top view of the receptacle of Figure
6 with the door closed showing the direction of the cross-
sectional view of Figure 13.
Figure 12 is a front view of Figure 11.
Figure 13 is the side cross-sectional view taken
through Figure 11.
Figure 14 is a side view of the receptacle in ghost
outline with a hose coupling positioned beneath the door and
a hose attached thereto.
Figure 15 is a top view of the coupling of Figure
14.
Figure 16 is a front view of Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a side view of Figure 16.
Figure 18 is an upper perspective view of the
coupling of Figure 15, 16 and 17.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In Figure 1 a prior art system utilizes a standard
portable vacuum cleaner unit 1 as the suction source 2.
Conveniently, this unit is stored in a storage compartment or
cabinet 3 proximate to the waste receiving receptacle 4 as,
for example, beneath a counter 5. It is stored with its
normal hose 6 connected to a pipe 7 leading through ducting to
the waste receptacle 4. It is also stored with its electrical
plug 9 engaged in a power outlet 10 controlled by the power
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switch 8. Lastly, it is stored with its own switch 12
positioned at "on".
In this manner, the normal household vacuum cleaner
1, while in storage, will serve to ogerate the waste
receptacle outlet in the same manner as a central vacuuming
system. The advantage of the embodiment of Figure 1 is that
it can readily be installed for less cost than a central
vacuuming system.
Figure 2 shows another prior art arrangement with a
Waste receptacle 4 connected to a central vacuum suction
source 1a. That source 1a is provided with electrical energy
from a relay-controlled outlet 11.
In Figure 2, the supply of electricity from the
outlet 11 to .the vacuum suction generator 1a is controlled
through wires 13 leading to the power switch 14. A low
voltage switch activated by the door 15 on the receptacle 4
controls the electrical power outlet 11. With the door 15
open and the suction source 1a operating, an air flow through
the entrance opening 16 of the receptacle 4 carries waste
through a sealed transfer chamber 17 to an outlet 49 that is .
coupled to ducting 18. This ducting 18. connects to the
suction source 1a.
In Figures 3 and~4 the body of the waste receptacle
20 of the invention is shown without its door attached. A
transfer chamber 17 has upper 49a and lower outlets 49b for
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coupling to ducting. The receptacle is sold with sealing
knock-out discs 21 closing the outlets 49a, 49b. At the job
site one disc 21 is removed, depending on which outlet 49a, -
49b is selected for coupling to the ducting 18.
The transfer chamber 17 carries a front plate 22
supported through main flanges 23. A stiffening plate 24
strengthens the flanges 23. The stiffening plate 24 also
partially blocks the entrance opening 16 formed in the front
plate 22.
In Figure 4 it will be seen that the top 25a and
bottom 25b front edges of the transfer chamber 17 terminate at
the plane of the front plate opening 16. This defines a
suction inlet portion 16a within the opening 16.
The bottom edge 25b of the suction inlet portion 16a -
has a bevelled ramp 25 terminating in line with the bottom
plane of the receptacle 4. 4~lhen mounted, this ramp 25 ends at
its outer edge in alignment with the floor. The ramp 25 may
protrude slightly beyond the front plane of the front plate 22
and extends inwardly and upwardly to terminate along its inner
edge at the bottom panel of the transfer chamber 17, above the
plane of the floor. This allows the lower coupling 49a to
extend downwardly from a position that starts above the plane
of the floor.
A door 26 shown separately in Figure 5 has a flat
closure plate portion 27 which carries a gasket 28 for sealing
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against the suction inlet 16a. An angled flange 29 extends
above the closure plate portion 27, protruding outwardly.
Hinge support flanges 30 carry a pair of hinge pins 31 (only
one being shown in Figure 5) and reinforcing plates 32 stiffen
these hinge flanges 30. ,
The door 26 is mounted over the suctiow inlet
opening 16a as shown in Figure 6 with the reinforcing plates
32 extending through the portion of the opening 16 above the
suction inlet 16a. The angled flange 29, with the door 26
closed, is forwardly and outwardly inclined.
With the door 26 open, as shown in Figure 7, the
upper angled flange 29 on the door 26 bears against the front
plate 22 with the gasket 28 just overlying, or contacting, the
protruding portion of the ramp 25. A small protrusion 28a of
the gasket 28 along the lower edge of the door 26.assists in
effecting a vacuum seal. ~n one main flange 2.3
as shotrm in Figure 8 , two electrical contacts 33 are
mounted through circular holes 34 (Figure 3). A further
switch activating pin 48 extends through an arcuate hole 35 in '
this main flange 23. A spring 36 is fastened on one of the
electrical contacts 33 extending past the switch activating
pin 48 to lie adjacent the second electrical contact 33. Upon
opening the door 26, the switch activating pin 48 in the slot
35 travels in an arcuate path pressing the spring 36 against
the second electrical contact 33 to lie in a position~36a.
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This serves to close a low voltage circuit provided through
wires (not shown in Figure 8 but see wires 13 in Figure 2)
connected to the electrical outlet 11 to activate the suction
source 1a. A brass rim 37 may be mounted on the switch
activating pin 48 to reduce wear.
Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 show a receptacle 20with
the door 22 open.
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken through
Figure 11 the shows the inner space 38 of the transfer chamber
17.
In 'Figure 14 a hose coupling 40 in positioned
against the front face of the front plate 22 of a receptacle
with the door 26 in an open gosition. A hose 41 is
connected outwardly from the coupling 40.
16 ~ In Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18 the coupling 40 is
shown in. greater detail. The coupling 40 has a coupling plate
42~and gasket 43 that lies over the suction inlet portion 16a
of the opening 16 in the face plate 22 of the receptacle 4.
An opening 44 in the coupling plate 42 transforms from a
20 generally rectangular form at the coupling plate 42 to a
circular opening 46 at the hose coupling end.
The top edge of the coupling plate 42 preferably
carries a small bevelled flange 47 that engages the inner side
of the door 26 on the receptacle along the closure plate
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portion 27. The lower edge of the plate 42 is seated at the
ramp 25.
The result of this arrangement is that with the door
26 open and the closure plate portion 27 angled downwardly,
the flange 47 on the coupling plate 42 jams the coupling 40 in
place with sufficient firmness that, upon starting the vacuum
source 1a, the coupling 40 is drawn into a tight sealing
engagement against the receptacle's suction inlet portion 16a.
This provides a convenient conversion of the sweeping suction
inlet into a coupling source for a standard vacuum hose. It
also provides a form of attachment that will allow the
coupling to break-away from the vacuum receptacle if excessive
force is applied to the coupling by pulling on the wand. This
break-away feature allows a disconnection to occur with
reduced risk of breakage.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing has constituted a description of
specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied
and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The
invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects, is
further described and defined in the claims which now follow.
These claims, and the language used therein, are to
be understood in terms of the variants of the invention which
have been described. They are not to be restricted to such
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variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of
the invention as is implicit within the invention and the
disclosure that has been provided herein.
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