Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER EQUIPPED
WITH ELECTRIFIED HOSE AND WAND
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 60/479,131 filed on June 17, 2003.
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the floor care equipment
field and, more particularly, to a floor cleaning apparatus having a nozzle
assembly for cleaning a floor, a canister assembly with control handle
pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly and an electrified hose for
powering a separate cleaning attachment.
Upright vacuum cleaners of various shapes and designs have long
been known in the art. Upright vacuum cleaners generally include a nozzle
assembly having an intake opening, a canister assembly connected to the
nozzle assembly, a suction generator for generating the negative pressure to
draw dirt and debris into the vacuum cleaner and a dirt collection vessel in
the form of a bag or cup for collecting dirt for disposal. While particularly
useful and convenient for cleaning open floor areas, the dimensions of the
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nozzle assembly and/or the weight and structure of the overall vacuum
cleaner prevent its effective use in certain applications. For example, the
nozzle assembly may be too wide to fit in a narrow space between a wall
and a heavy piece of furniture. Further, it should be appreciated that the
nozzle assembly of the upright vacuum cleaner is not particularly adapted
for cleaning the treads of a stairway, the cushions of a couch, along the top
of baseboards, windowsills and draperies or for other above floor
applications. Accordingly, most upright vacuum cleaners are also equipped
with a flexible hose, a wand and one or more cleaning attachments for the
wand.
In the past, those cleaning attachments have generally included an
upholstery brush and crevice tool. More recently, some upright vacuum
cleaners have been equipped with a cleaning head including a rotary agitator
connected to an air impeller. The airflow generated by the suction generator
turns the impeller and drives the rotary agitator. While such a design is
useful for some applications, it should be appreciated that the airflow
urilized to turn the impeller and drive the agitator is no longer available to
carry entrained dirt and debris toward the dirt collection vessel of the
vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, cleaning efficiency is compromised when
the airflow is also used to drive a rotary agitator.
Recognizing this shortcoming, the present invention relates to an
upright vacuum cleaner equipped with an electrified hose and optional
wand capable of powering an electric motor for driving an agitator of a
cleaning tool attachment, a light or other electrical feature.
Advantageously, since the rotary agitator of the cleaning tool is driven by
an electric motor rather than the airflow generated by the suction generator,
that entire airflow remains available to entrained dirt and debris and draw it
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toward the dirt collection vessel of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, not
only is the agitator driven more powerfully and at great speeds so as to
better beat dirt and debris from a surface being cleaned, but the maximum
airflow remains available for drawing that dirt and debris to the dirt
collection vessel. As a result the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning tool is
greatly enhanced.
In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as
described herein, an upright vacuum cleaner is provided. That upright
vacuum cleaner incorporates a nozzle assembly including an intake opening
and a canister assembly pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly. The
upright vacuum cleaner also includes both a suction generator and a dirt
collection vessel. These two structures may be carned on either the nozzle
assembly or the canister assembly. Additionally, the upright vacuum
1 S cleaner includes a flexible, electrified hose that may also be carried on
either the nozzle assembly or the canister assembly as desired.
More particularly describing the invention, the flexible, electrified
hose includes two insulated electrical conductors and one ground wire. The
hose may also include a reinforcing wire for strength and structural
integrity.
The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a cleaning attachment
and a first connector for securing that cleaning attachment to the Hose. The
cleaning attachment includes an electrical motor that receives electrical
power through the two insulated electrical conductors in the hose. That
electrical motor is connected to a rotary agitator carried in an intake
opening in the cleaning attachment in order to drive the rotary agitator to
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provide more efficient and effective cleaning through the attachment than
would otherwise be possible. Alternatively, the cleaning attachment may
include a booster fan and the booster fan may be driven by the electrical
motor in order to provide increased suction to the cleaning attachment.
Additionally, the cleaning attachment may include a light that receives
electrical power through the two insulated electrical conductors in the
hose.
In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention, the
vacuum cleaner may also include an electrified wand that is connected
between the electrified hose and the powered cleaning attachment. A
second connector may be provided for securing the wand to the hose. In
this embodiment the wand may be removed from the hose and the hose
directly connected to an attachment if desired. In still another possible
arrangement, the wand may include two sections. Those sections may be
separate or alternatively may be telescoping in design.
The upright vacuum cleaner may also include at least one rotary
agitator carried on the nozzle assembly in the intake opening. Further, the
dirt collection vessel may take the form of a dirt filter bag or a dirt cup.
The dirt cup may be substantially cylindrical in shape and include a
tangentially directed inlet opening in order to take advantage of the
cleaning action produced by cyclonic airflow if desired.
Still further, a control switch may be provided for selectively
activating and deactivating the electrical motor on the cleaning attachment.
That control switch may be carried on the wand.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method is provided for increasing the cleaning versatility and performance
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S
of an upright vacuum cleaner. That method comprises equipping an upright
vacuum cleaner with a flexible hose and a powered cleaning attachment tool
that may be selectively secured to the hose and used for certain cleaning
applications. That method also includes equipping the flexible hose with
electrical conductors for powering the powered cleaning attachment. In
addition the method includes equipping the powered cleaning attachment
with a rotary agitator and cooperating rotary agitator drive motor. Further,
the method includes equipping the powered cleaning attachment with a
light source so that the work area may be better illuminated so that the
operator can clearly see and thereby direct the cleaning attachment to
provide more effective and efficient cleaning.
brief Des~~~tio~~o~~,e~~~ing~res
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of
the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and
together with the description serve to explain certain principles of the
invention. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a partially schematical view providing a further detailed
illustration of one possible embodiment of the present invention including
both an electrified hose and wand;
Figure 3 is a side elevational view showing a powered cleaning
attachment tool connected directly to an electrified hose of an upright
vacuum cleaner of the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a detailed, partially exploded perspective view
illustrating the direct connection of the powered cleaning attachment tool to
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the electrified hose.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred
embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing.
S Detailed Description of the Invention
Reference is now made to Figure 1 illustrating the floor cleaning
apparatus 10 of the present invention. As illustrated the floor cleaning
apparatus 10 is an upright vacuum cleaner. It should be appreciated,
however, that the present invention could also take the form of an extractor
and that the upright vacuum cleaner is merely being described in detail to
illustrate the principles of the present invention.
The apparatus 10 includes a nozzle assembly 12 that includes an
intake opening 14. The nozzle assembly also houses a rotary agitator 16 in
the intake opening 14. The rotary agitator 16 may include tufts of bristles
1 S 18 or other cleaning structures such as wipers, beater bars and brushes
for
brushing and beating dirt from the nap of the underlying rug or carpet being
cleaned.
The apparatus 10 further includes a handle or canister assembly,
generally designated by reference numeral 20. The canister assembly 20 is
pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly 12. The canister assembly 20
includes a first housing section 22, a second, mating housing section or bag
access door 24 and a control handle 2S. A suction generator 26, including a
cooperating fan and drive motor, is housed in a compartment within the
canister assembly 20. Additionally, the canister assembly 20 includes a
2S cavity that receives and holds a dirt collection vessel in the form of a
dust
bag (not shown) of a type known in the art. Alternatively, the dirt
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collection vessel could be a dirt cup. Such a dirt cup may include a
cylindrical internal chamber and a tangentially directed inlet in order to
provide cyclonic airflow and take advantage of the cleaning benefits
characteristic of such airflow if desired.
During normal floor cleaning operation, the tufts of bristles 18 on
the rotary agitator 16 beat and lift dirt and debris from the nap of an
underlying carpet or rug being cleaned. That dirt and debris is drawn into
the intake opening 14 in the nozzle assembly 12 by means of the negative
pressure and the resulting airflow produced by the suction generator 26.
Accordingly, air entrained with dirt and debris is drawn through a conduit
(not shown) and delivered through the hose 44 to the inlet (not shown) of
the dirt collection vessel. Dirt and debris is trapped in the vessel while
substantially clean air is drawn through a filter (not shown) into the
compartment housing the suction generator 26. That relatively clean air
passes over the motor of the suction generator 26 to provide cooling and is
then discharged through a final filter (not shown) and the exhaust port 3 8
into the environment.
As best illustrated in Figure 2, the wand 42 and hose 44 of the
upright vacuum cleaner 10 of the present invention are electrified in order
to allow the user to operate a powered cleaning attachment 50. More
particularly, the hose 44 includes a flexible rubber body 52 that is molded
around a coiled reinforcing wire 54, a first insulated electrical conductor
56, a second insulated electrical conductor 58, and an insulated ground wire
60. As illustrated, the first end of the hose 44 is connected to a hose
conduit or fitting 62 carried on the canister assembly 16 of the upright
vacuum cleaner. A two section electrical plug or junction box 64 provides
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the electrical connection between the upright vacuum cleaner 10 and the
electrical conductors 56, 58 and ground wire 60 of the hose 44. A
connector 65 at the other end of the hose 44 provides secure threaded or
friction fit connection with the end of the wand 42. Additional details
relating to electrified hoses 44 of the type incorporated into the present
invention may be gleaned from reviewing various prior art references
including, for example, U.S. Patents 5,555,915 to Kanao and 4,693,324 to
Choiniere et al.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the wand 42 includes a first section 66 and
a second section 68. In the illustrated embodiment, the two sections 62, 68
are telescoping. More specifically, the wand 42 may be extended or
retracted by depressing the actuator 70. Once the wand 42 is extended or
retracted to the desired length the actuator 70 is released to lock the wand
in
the desired position. The wand 42 may also include a control switch 71 for
selectively activating and deactivating the electrical motor 86 of the
powered cleaning attachment 50. Additional details relating to such an
electrified wand 42 may be gleaned from reviewing U.S. Patent 6,148,474
to Ohara et al.
As illustrated in the partially broken away section of the drawing
figure, the wand 42, like the hose 44 includes a first electrical conductor
72,
a second electrical conductor 74 and a ground wire 76. A two-section
junction box or plug 78, identical to the junction box 64, bridges the
connector 65 and the wand section 66 to provide electrical connection
between the first insulated electrical conductors 56 and 72, the second
insulated electrical conductors 58 and 74, and the ground wires 60 and 76.
As further illustrated in Figure 2, the powered cleaning attachment
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50 includes a housing 80. The housing 80 defines an intake opening 82. A
rotary agitator 84 is held in the housing 80 so as to extend across the intake
opening 82. The rotary agitator 84 is rotated relative to the housing 80 by
means of the drive motor 86. More specifically the drive motor 86 has a
drive shaft connected to a pulley 88 which is connected by means of the
drive belt 90 to a second pulley 92 that is connected to the rotary agitator
84. Of course, in the alternative embodiment a gear drive or a combination
gear drive and belt drive may be provided in place of the belt and pulley
drive that is illustrated in Figure 2.
A junction box or cooperating plugs 94 provide electrical connection
between the electrical conductors 72, 74 and ground wire 76 of the wand
42 and the electrical leads (not shown) to the drive motor 86. Thus, it
should be appreciated that the drive motor 86 receives its power from the
electrical wall outlet through the electrical power cord and internal wiring
and circuitry in the nozzle and canister assemblies 14, 16 of the upright
vacuum cleaner, the junction box 64, the conductors and wires 54, 56, 60 in
the hose 44, the junction box 78, the conductors and wires 72, 74 and 76 in
the wand 42, the junction box 94 and the electrical conductors and wire
leads leading from the junction box 94 to the electric motor.
As also illustrated in Figure 2 the powered cleaning attachment 50
may include a light source 96 for illuminating the area which the operator is
attempting to clean with the powered cleaning attachment 50. That light
source 96 also receives its power through the wand 42 and hose 44 in the
same manner as described above for the agitator drive motor 86.
While not specifically illustrated, the drive motor 86 could also drive
an auxiliary booster fan in addition to the rotary agitator 84 in order to
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provide additional suction at the inlet 82. Alternatively, the drive motor 86
may also simply be used to drive a booster fan instead of a rotary agitator
84 in the event such an arrangement were desired.
In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the concepts
5 of the present invention. In the past rotary agitators in wand attachments
for upright vacuum cleaners were all air driven by means of an impeller.
While such rotary agitators may be driven at relatively high speeds to
provide good scrubbing action, this is achieved at the expense of good
suction power. In contrast, the powered cleaning attachment 50 of the
10 present invention incorporates a rotary agitator 84 that is driven by an
electric motor 86 at still higher speed and with greater power to provide
still better brushing action. As an added benefit, the entire suction power of
the vacuum cleaner 10 remains available to draw dirt and debris loosened
by that agitator 84 into the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, cleaning
efficiency is greatly enhanced to a level heretofore unattainable with wand
cleaning tools used on upright vacuum cleaners of previous design. Thus,
the present invention represents a significant advance in the art and
provides many benefits to the user.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form
disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the
above teachings. For example, as illustrated in Figure 3, the powered
cleaning attachment tool SO may be connected directly to the electrified
hose 44. More specifically, two electrical pin connectors 100, 102 on the
tool 50 may be received in cooperating power sockets 104, 106 provided on
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the connector or cuff 65 at the end of the electrified hose 44 (see Figure 4).
Electric current is then routed through the conductors 56, 58 in the hose 44,
then through the sockets 104, 106 to the pin connectors 100, 102 and
finally from the pin connectors to the motor 84. Accordingly, it should be
S appreciated that an upright vacuum cleaner 10 of the present invention may
or may not include an electrified wand.
The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best
illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application
to
thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are
within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims
when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly,
legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiment do
not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and
their fair and broad interpretation in any way.
