Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02547039 2006-05-15
VACUUM CLEANER WITH SERVICE DOOR FOR FILTER
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the vacuum cleaner art.
Background of the Invention
A vacuum cleaner is an electro-mechanical appliance utilized to effect
the dry removal of dust, dirt and other small debris from carpets, rugs,
fabrics
or other surfaces in domestic, commercial and industrial locations. To achieve
the desired dirt and dust removal, a pressure drop or "vacuum" is used to
force
air entrained with dirt and dust into the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner. The
particulate-laden air is then drawn through a bag-like filter, a dirt cup and
cooperating filter or a cyclonic dirt collection chamber which traps the dirt
and
dust, while substantially clean air is exhausted by an electrically operated
fan
that is driven by an onboard motor. It is this fan and motor arrangement that
generates the drop in air pressure necessary to provide the desired cleaning
action. Thus, the fan and motor arrangement is commonly known as the
suction generator.
CA 02547039 2006-05-15
2
The present invention relates to a unique arrangement wherein a
secondary filter is provided between the dirt and dust collection vessel and
the
suction generator. More specifically, the secondary filter is held in a recess
and
captured in the recess by an openable door equipped with one or more openings
to allow airflow through the f lter.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the purposes of the present invention as described
herein, an improved vacuum cleaner is provided. That vacuum cleaner
includes a housing having a suction inlet, a dirt collection vessel receiver
and a
filter receiving recess. That filter receiving recess opens to the receiver.
Additionally, the vacuum cleaner includes a suction generator and a dirt
collection vessel both carried on the housing. A filter is received in the
recess.
Further a door closes the recess and captures the filter therein. The door
includes at least one opening allowing passage of air from the receiver
through
the filter to the suction generator.
Further describing the invention, the door includes a hinge for
pivotally mounting the door to the housing. Still further multiple openings
may be provided in the door to form a grill work or lattice for free air flow.
Still further the receiver is bounded by a bottom wall and a rear wall. In one
possible embodiment the recess is formed in the rear wall. In another possible
embodiment the recess is formed in the bottom wall.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the housing
includes a nozzle assembly and a canister assembly. The suction inlet is
CA 02547039 2006-05-15
3
provided in the nozzle assembly and the receiver and recess are provided in
the canister assembly. Still further the nozzle assembly includes a rotary
agitator that extends at least partially across the suction inlet.
Additionally, the
canister assembly may be pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly so that
the vacuum cleaner assumes the form of an upright vacuum cleaner.
In one possible embodiment the dirt collection vessel is a filter bag. In
another possible embodiment the dirt collection vessel is a dirt cup. A
primary
filter may be received in the dirt cup. Further, the dirt cup may be
substantially
cylindrical in shape.
In the following description there is shown and described a preferred
embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the
modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the
invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details
are
capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from
I S the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded
as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
Brief Description of the Drawing
The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of this
specification illustrates several aspects of the present invention and
together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the
invention. In the drawing:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upright vacuum cleaner exemplary
of the present invention;
CA 02547039 2006-05-15
4
Figures 2a-2c are detailed perspective views illustrating the removable
access door that holds the secondary filter in the recess provided between the
dirt collection vessel and the suction generator.
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.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Reference is now made to Figure 1 showing the vacuum cleaner 10 of
the present invention. It should be appreciated that while an upright vacuum
cleaner 10 is illustrated, canister vacuum cleaners may also be constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
The overall basic design of an upright vacuum cleaner 10 is generally
well known in the art. In a typical arrangement, the upright vacuum cleaner 10
includes a housing 14 that comprises the nozzle assembly 16 and the canister
assembly 18. The canister assembly 18 further includes a handle 20 and a
handgrip 22. The handgrip 22 carries a control switch 24 for turning the
vacuum cleaner 10 on and off. Electrical power is supplied to the vacuum
cleaner 10 through a cord (not shown). Alternatively, the vacuum cleaner I O
could be powered by an onboard battery.
At the lower portion of the canister assembly 18, rear wheels 26 are
provided to support the weight of the vacuum cleaner 10. These wheels 26 also
provide a pivot point about which the nozzle assembly 16 pivots when adjusted
by manipulation of the height adjustment switch 28. To allow for convenient
CA 02547039 2006-05-15
storage of the vacuum cleaner 10 a foot latch (not shown) functions to lock
the
canister assembly in an upright position as illustrated in Figure 1. When the
foot latch is released, the canister assembly 18 may be pivoted relative to
the
nozzle assembly 16 as the vacuum cleaner 10 is manipulated to clean the floor.
5 The nozzle assembly 16 includes a suction inlet 36 that houses a rotating
agitator 38. Such an agitator 36 may be equipped with a wiper, beater bar,
brush, bristle tufts or the like to beat dirt and debris from the nap of an
underlying rug or carpet. Further, it should also be appreciated that more
than
one agitator 36 may be provided. Multiple agitators 36 may be corotating or
counterrotating.
The canister assembly 18 includes a dirt collection vessel receiver or
receiving cavity 40 that is adapted to receive and hold a dirt collection
vessel
42 which, as illustrated, may take the form of a filter bag of a type well
known
in the art. Alternatively, the dirt collection vessel 42 may be a dirt cup.
The
dirt cup may assume substantially any shape including, for example, a
cylindrical shape to allow for cyclonic airflow. Further, the dirt cup may or
may not include an internal primary filter.
As further shown in Figure 2a, the housing 12 also includes a recess 44
opening into the cavity 40. 'The recess 44 is adapted to receive a filter such
as a
secondary cartridge filter 46 of a type well known in the art. A suction
generator 48 is also carried on the housing. In the illustrated embodiment the
suction generator 48 is provided in a compartment 49 in the canister assembly
18 beneath the recess 44. The bottom Wall of the recess 44 is an open lattice
allowing air to freely move into the compartment 49 housing the suction
CA 02547039 2006-05-15
6
generator 48.
In operation, the rotary agitator 38 beats dirt and debris from the nap of
an underlying carpet being cleaned. The suction generator 48 creates a vacuum
airstream. The dirt and debris is entrained in the airstream as it is drawn
through the suction inlet 36 into the dirt collection vessel 42. The dirt and
debris is entrapped in the dirt collection vessel 42 and relatively clean air
is
then drawn from that vessel through the filter 46 before passing over the
motor
of the suction generator 48 to provide cooling before being exhausted into the
environment.
As best illustrated in Figures 2a-2c, the filter 46 is held in the recess 44
by means of a door 50. As illustrated, the door 50 includes one or more
openings 52 that allow for free airflow from the vessel 42 in the cavity 40
through the filter 46 to the suction generator 48. In one possible embodiment,
the openings for a grill work or lattice.
In the illustrated embodiment, the door 50 includes two hinges 54 that
secure one edge of the door to the canister assembly 18. A tab 56 may be
engaged with a forger to swing the door 50 open and closed about the hinges
54. A fastener (not shown) may be provided to positively secure the door in
the
closed position if desired. Such a fastener may comprise a resilient lip on
the
door 50 that engages a cooperating shoulder on the housing 12, a friction fit
between the door 50 and the housing 12, a screvc~, a snap fastener or any
other
appropriate structure for releasably securing the door in the closed position.
When it is necessary to clean or change the f lter 46, the vessel 42 is
removed from the cavity 40 in order to expose the door 50. The user then
CA 02547039 2006-05-15
7
engages the tab 56 with a finger to pivot the door 50 open about the hinges
54.
This exposes the filter 46 for removal from the recess 44. The filter is then
cleaned and the cleaned filter (or a new filter) is then dropped back in the
recess 44. The door 50 is then pivoted about the hinges 54 and closed over the
recess 44 so as to trap the filter 46 therein. The vessel 42 is then
reinserted into
the cavity 40 and the vacuum cleaner is again ready for operation.
In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 44 is provided in the bottom
wall that forms one boundary of the cavity 40. It should be appreciated that
the
recess 44 could just as easily be provided in any other wall such as the rear
wall
boundary of the cavity 40.
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the present
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.
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 embodiments do not and are not intended
to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broad
interpretation in any way.
