Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02730985 2011-01-31
TITLE: RECONFIGURABLE UPRIGHT SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS WITH A
POWERED BRUSH MOTOR
FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum
cleaners. Particularly, the disclosure relates to a convertible upright
surface cleaning
apparatus.
INTRODUCTION
[0002] The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is
prior
art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art.
[0003] Various constructions for surface cleaning apparatus such as vacuum
cleaners are known. Currently, many surface cleaning apparatus are constructed
using
at least one cyclonic cleaning stage. The air is drawn into the vacuum cleaner
through a
dirty air inlet and conveyed to a cyclone inlet. The rotation of the air in
the cyclone
results in some of the particulate matter in the airflow stream being
disentrained from
the airflow stream. This material is then collected in a dirt collection
chamber, which
may be at the bottom of the cyclone or in a dirt collection chamber exterior
to the
cyclone chamber (see for example WO2009/026709 and US 5,078,761). One or more
additional cyclonic cleaning stages and/or filters may be positioned
downstream from
the cyclone.
SUMMARY
[0004] The following summary is provided to introduce the reader to the more
detailed discussion to follow. The summary is not intended to limit or define
the claims.
[0005] According to one aspect, a convertible upright surface cleaning
apparatus
that has a cleaning unit that is removable for above floor cleaning or
cleaning while
hand held is provided. The cleaning unit comprises a suction motor and one or
more air
treatment members. The cleaning unit is electrically operable, e.g., operable
when
plugged into the AC outlet of a house. The floor cleaning head of the upright
surface
cleaning apparatus is electrically powered (e.g., an electrically powered
rotatable brush
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associated with the dirty air inlet of the floor cleaning head). An
electrically conductive
member extends from the cleaning unit to the floor cleaning head so that the
floor
cleaning head is powered by the electrical source of the cleaning unit.
Accordingly,
when the cleaning unit is removed, the source of electricity is disconnected
from the
floor cleaning head. This source must be reconnected when the cleaning unit is
mounted on the surface cleaning apparatus. This connection is preferably made
automatically when the cleaning unit is mounted on the surface cleaning
apparatus.
Accordingly the surface cleaning apparatus may include an alignment mechanism
to
align the cleaning unit on an upper section (e.g., the handle) of the surface
cleaning unit
when the cleaning unit is mounted on the surface cleaning unit.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the suction motor is mounted on the upright
section of the vacuum cleaner (e.g., the portion that comprises the push
handle) and is
spaced from the floor cleaning head. Such a construction is advantageous as it
permits
the floor cleaning head to extend further under furniture (e.g., floor
cleaning head may
be passed under furniture until the bottom of the upright section contact the
furniture).
However, in the absence of an alignment member a user may have difficulty
positioning
the cleaning unit such that an electrical connection is automatically
completed as the
cleaning unit is mounted to the upper section.
[0007] According to this aspect, a convertible upright surface cleaning
apparatus
comprises a floor cleaning head having a dirty air inlet, a cleaning brush and
a brush
motor. An air flow passage extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean air
outlet. An
upper section is moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head between an
storage
position and an in use position. The upper section comprises a cleaning unit
including a
suction motor positioned in the air flow passage. At least one of the upper
section and
the cleaning unit is removably mounted to the floor cleaning head in a preset
orientation. When the surface cleaning apparatus is assembled, the cleaning
unit is
spaced from the floor cleaning head. An alignment member is provided on the
surface
cleaning apparatus. The alignment member requires the one of the upper section
and
the cleaning unit to be in the preset orientation when mounted on the floor
cleaning
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head. An electrical conductive member is electrically connected to the brush
motor and
releaseably electrically connected to the cleaning unit. The electrically
conductive
member is automatically connected to the cleaning unit when the one of the
upper
section and the cleaning unit is mounted to the floor cleaning head.
[0008] The floor cleaning head may include a tubular support member on which
the one of the upper section and the cleaning unit is mounted. The cleaning
unit may
be supported by a thin backbone of the upper section.
[0009] The air flow passage may include an up flow duct and the cleaning unit
may be mounted to and supported by the up flow duct.
[0010] The electrical conductive member may comprise a wire extending the
tubular section to the brush motor. At least a portion of the wire may be
positioned
external to the upper section and the floor cleaning head. The upper section
may be
rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis extending through a lower portion
of the
upper section. In such a case, the wire preferably has sufficient slack to
permit the
upper section to be rotatable without such movement being restricted by the
wire.
[0011] The upper section may be rotatable with respect to the floor cleaning
head
about a longitudinal axis extending through a lower portion of the upper
section.
[0012] The alignment member may be provided on at least one of the cleaning
unit, the upper section, and the floor cleaning head. The alignment member may
directs
the one of the cleaning unit and the upper section into the preset orientation
as the one
of the cleaning unit and the upper section is mounted on the floor cleaning
head. The
alignment member may comprise guide members provided on the floor cleaning
head,
e.g., a tubular support member or upflow duct that is pivotally mounted, and
preferably
pivotally and rotatably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The guide
members may
interact with the upper section as the cleaning unit is mounted to the upper
section. The
alignment member may comprise at least one of a male engagement member and a
female engagement member provided on the floor cleaning head and the other of
the
male engagement member and the female engagement member provided on the one of
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cleaning unit and the upper section. The male engagement member may be
slideably
engageable with the female member.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning unit is removable with the
above
floor cleaning member. Accordingly, essentially the upper section is removed
when the
cleaning unit is removed. In such a case, it is preferred that the alignment
member is
provided on one or both of the upper section and a tubular support member or
upflow
duct that is pivotally mounted, and preferably pivotally and optionally also
rotatably
mounted to the surface cleaning head. In alternate embodiment, part of the
upper
section may be left when the cleaning unit is removed and, accordingly, the
alignment
member may be provided on one or both of the cleaning unit and the upper
section.
[0014] The electrically conductive member may comprise one of a plug and a
socket and the cleaning unit may comprise the other of the plug and the
socket. The
plug may be inserted into the socket as the one of the cleaning unit and the
upper
section is mounted to the tubular member of the floor cleaning head.
[0015] The electrically conductive member may comprise a first electrical end
and the cleaning unit may comprise a second electrical end. The first and
second
electrical ends may be releasably engageable and the first electrical end may
be
mounted to the tubular member of the floor cleaning head. One of the first and
second
electrical ends may be receivable in the other of the first and second ends.
[0016] The surface cleaning apparatus of may further comprise an electrical
cord
mounted to the cleaning unit and releasably engageable with a household
electrical
outlet.
[0017] The surface cleaning apparatus of may further comprise a wand and hose
wherein the cleaning unit is removable from the upper section with the wand
and hose.
[0018] The cleaning unit may comprise a cyclone and a dirt collection chamber
and the dirt collection chamber may be removable from the cleaning unit when
closed.
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[0019] According to another aspect, another convertible upright surface
cleaning
apparatus is provided. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a floor
cleaning head
having a dirty air inlet and a moveably mounted tubular support member. An air
flow
passage extends from the dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. An upper
section is
provided on the tubular member and moveable between an storage position and an
in
use position and comprises a cleaning unit and a handle. The cleaning unit
comprises
a suction motor positioned in the air flow passage. The cleaning unit, by
itself or with
components of the upper section, is removably mounted to the surface cleaning
apparatus in a preset orientation. An alignment member is provided on the
surface
cleaning apparatus. The alignment member requires the cleaning unit to be in
the
preset orientation when mounted on the surface cleaning apparatus.
[0020] The cleaning unit may be spaced from the floor cleaning head when
mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.
[0021] The cleaning unit may be directly or indirectly mounted to the tubular
support member. The tubular support member may comprise an upflow duct and may
comprise part of the air flow passage, and the cleaning unit may be mounted to
and
supported by the up flow duct.
[0022] The air flow passage may include an up flow duct and the cleaning unit
may be mounted to and supported by the up flow duct. The cleaning unit may be
spaced from the floor cleaning head when mounted to the upper section.
[0023] The alignment member may direct the cleaning unit into the preset
orientation as the cleaning unit is mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus.
[0024] The cleaning unit may be provided with an electrical cord and plug. The
floor cleaning head may include an electrically operated brush that is
electrically
connected to the cleaning unit by an electrically conductive member when the
cleaning
unit is installed on the surface cleaning apparatus. The electrical conductive
member
may comprise a wire extending from the tubular support member to the brush
motor. At
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least a portion of the wire may be positioned external to the upper section
and the floor
cleaning head.
[0025] The upper section may be rotatable with respect to the floor cleaning
head
about a longitudinal axis extending through a lower portion of the upper
section.
DRAWINGS
[0026] Reference is made in the detailed description to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0027] Figure 1a is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of a surface
cleaning apparatus, in a storage configuration;
[0028] Figure lb is a perspective illustration of the surface cleaning
apparatus of
Figure la, in an in-use configuration;
[0029] Figure 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1 a;
[0030] Figure 3 is a top perspective illustration of a suction motor housing
of the
surface cleaning apparatus of Figure 1;
[0031] Figure 4 is a top perspective illustration of the surface cleaning
apparatus
of Figure 1, with a filtration member housing removed, and a pre-motor filter
exploded
from the suction motor housing;
[0032] Figure 5 is perspective illustration of the surface cleaning apparatus
of
Figure la, with the upper section removed from a tubular support member of the
floor
cleaning head;
[0033] Figure 6 is a partial cross section taken along line 6-6 in Figure 1;
[0034] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the region shown in box 7 in Figure 6;
[0035] Figure 8 is an enlarged cutaway view of the tubular support member of
Figure 5 being inserted into the backbone of Figure 5, wherein the upper
section is not
at a preset orientation;
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[0036] Figure 9 is an enlarged cutaway view of the tubular support member of
Figure 5 being inserted into the backbone of Figure 5, wherein the upper
section is still
not at a preset orientation;
[0037] Figure 10 is an enlarged cutaway view of the tubular support member of
Figure 5 being inserted into the backbone of Figure 5, wherein the upper
section is at a
preset orientation; and,
[0038] Figure 11 is an enlarged cutaway view of the tubular support member of
Figure 5 inserted into the backbone of Figure 5, wherein the upper section is
at a preset
orientation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Referring to Figure 1 a, a first embodiment of a surface cleaning
apparatus
100 is shown. In the embodiment shown, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 is a
convertible upright surface cleaning apparatus (otherwise referred to as a
convertible
upright vacuum cleaner). In alternate embodiments, the surface cleaning
apparatus
may be another suitable type of surface cleaning apparatus, such as a canister
type
vacuum cleaner, and hand vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry type vacuum
cleaner
or a carpet extractor.
[0040] Referring still to Figure 1a, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 has a
floor
cleaning head 106, and an upper section 105. The upper section is moveably
mounted
to the surface cleaning head between a storage position (shown in Figure 1a)
and an in
use position, shown in Figure 1b. The surface cleaning head includes a tubular
support
member 112 (shown in Figure 5), on which the upper section is mounted. The
tubular
support member 112 is rotatably mounted to a pivot joint 151 of the floor
cleaning head
106 about a both a horizontal axis 153 and an axis 155 (shown in Figure 1
b)extending
through a lower portion of the upper section 105. Accordingly, the upper
section is
rotatable with respect to the floor cleaning head about both axis 153 and 155.
The
tubular support member 112 is moveably mounted with respect to the remainder
of the
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floor cleaning head 106, so that the upper section may move with respect to
the
remainder of the floor cleaning head 106.
[0041] Referring still to Figure 1, the surface cleaning apparatus 100 has a
dirty
air inlet 102, a clean air outlet 104, and an air flow passage extending
therebetween.
The dirty air inlet 102 is provided in the floor cleaning head 106. The floor
cleaning
head 106 further includes an electrically operated brush (not shown) for
aiding in
drawing material into the dirty air inlet 102, and a brush motor (not shown)
driving the
brush.
[0042] From the dirty air inlet 102, the airflow passage extends into the
floor
cleaning head 106, through an external hose of the floor cleaning head 107,
and into
the tubular support member 112 of the floor cleaning head, which serves as an
upflow
duct between the floor cleaning head 106 and the upper section 105. From the
tubular
support member 112, the airflow passage extends through an air conduit 108, to
a
cleaning unit 110 of the upper section. The clean air outlet 104 is provided
in the
cleaning unit 110. In the embodiment shown, the air conduit 108 includes a
backbone
114 of the upper section. The backbone mounts the upper section 105 to the
tubular
support member 112, supports the cleaning unit 110, and is part of the airflow
passage.
As can be seen in Figure 1a, the cleaning unit 110 is spaced from the floor
cleaning
head 106 when mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus 100 by the backbone
114.
The backbone 114 is preferably thin. The air conduit further includes a wand
116
downstream of the backbone 114, a hose 117 downstream of the wand, and an
elbow
joint 118 downstream of the hose 117. The elbow joint 118 is in airflow
communication
with the cleaning unit 110. In alternate embodiments, the air conduit 108 may
be of
another configuration.
[0043] A handle 119 is mounted to the wand 116, for manipulating the surface
cleaning apparatus 100.
[0044] Referring now to Figure 2, the cleaning unit 110 includes a filtration
member housing 120, and a suction motor housing 122. The filtration member
housing
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122 houses filtration member 124, which is positioned in the airflow passage
downstream of the dirty air inlet 102 for removing particulate matter from air
flowing
through the airflow passage. The suction motor housing 122 houses a suction
motor
126, which is provided in the airflow passage downstream of the filtration
member 124
for drawing air through the airflow passage.
[0045] In the embodiment shown, the cleaning unit 110 is supported by and
mounted to the backbone 114. Particularly, a mount 128 is provided which
mounts the
cleaning unit 110 to the backbone 114. The mount 128 may be of any suitable
configuration. In the embodiment shown, the mount 128 is integrally formed
with the
suction motor housing 122, and is mountable to the backbone 114. The mount 128
may
be mountable to the backbone 114 in any suitable manner, and is preferably
removably
mountable to the backbone 114.
[0046] In the embodiment shown, the filtration member housing 120 includes a
sidewall 130, a top wall 132, and a bottom wall 134. The suction motor housing
122
includes a sidewall 136 and a bottom wall 138, and an open top 140. The
sidewall 136
of the suction motor housing 122 is removably mounted to the bottom wall 134
of the
filtration member housing 120, so that the bottom wall 134 of the filtration
member
housing 120 seals the open top 140 of the suction motor housing 122. The
sidewall 136
of the suction motor housing 122 may be removably mounted to the bottom wall
134 of
the filtration member housing 120 in any suitable manner, such as by one or
more latch
members 142.
[0047] In the embodiment shown, as the suction motor housing 122 is mounted
to the backbone 114, and the filtration member housing 120 is removably
mounted to
the suction motor housing 122 above the suction motor housing 122, the
filtration
member housing 120 may be removed from the suction motor housing by unlatching
the
one or more latch members 142, and lifting the filtration member housing 120
off of the
suction motor housing 122. When this is done, the filtration member housing
120 will be
generally sealed, except for any airflow passages leading to or from the
filtration
member housing 120, and the top 140 of the suction motor housing 122 will be
open.
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[0048] Referring still to Figure 2, in the embodiment shown, the filtration
member
124 is a cyclone 144. In alternate embodiments, the filtration member 124 may
be, for
example, a filter, such as a filter bag or a foam filter. In further alternate
embodiments,
the filtration member 124 may include a plurality of cyclones, or a plurality
of cyclonic
stages.
[0049] The cyclone 144 may be of any suitable configuration. In the embodiment
shown, the cyclone 144 extends along a longitudinal axis 146, which is
generally
vertically extending, and includes a generally cylindrical cyclone wall 148,
which defines
a cyclone chamber 150. The upper end 152 of the cyclone wall 148 is open, and
the
lower end 154 of the cyclone wall includes lower wall 156. The cyclone wall
148 is
positioned in the filtration member housing 120 such that it is spaced from
the sidewall
130, top wall 132, and bottom wall 134 of the filtration member housing 120. A
plurality
of struts 158 support the cyclone wall 148 within the filtration member
housing 120. The
space between the lower wall 156 of the cyclone 144 and the bottom wall 134 of
the
filtration member housing 122 forms a dirt collection chamber 160.
[0050] The cyclone 144 further includes a cyclone air inlet 162, and a cyclone
air
outlet 164. The cyclone air inlet 162 extends from a first end (not shown)
that is in
communication with the hose 117, through the sidewall 130 of the filtration
member
housing 120, to a second end (not shown) that is in communication with the
cyclone
chamber 150. The cyclone air outlet 164 extends along the axis 146, from a
first end
170 that is positioned within the cyclone chamber 150, through the lower wall
156, and
to a second end 172 that is in communication with the interior of the suction
motor
housing 122. A screen is preferably mounted over the first end 170 of the
cyclone air
outlet.
[0051] In use, air flows from the hose 117 into the cyclone chamber 150
through
the cyclone air inlet 162. In the cyclone chamber 150, the air flows within
the cyclone
wall 148 in a cyclonic pattern, and particulate matter is separated from the
air. The
particulate matter exits the cyclone chamber 150 through the first end 152,
and settles
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in the dirt collection chamber 160. The air exits the cyclone chamber 150
through the
cyclone air outlet 164, and enters the suction motor housing 122.
[0052] The dirt collection chamber 160 may be emptied in any suitable manner.
In the embodiment shown, the bottom wall 134 is pivotally mounted to the
sidewall 130,
and serves as an openable door. The dirt collection chamber 160 may be emptied
by
removing the filtration member housing 120 from the suction motor housing 124,
with
the dirt collection chamber 160 closed, as described hereinabove, and pivoting
the
bottom wall 134 away from the sidewall 130.
[0053] Referring still to Figure 2, the suction motor housing 122 houses the
suction motor 126, a pre-motor filter 176 upstream of the suction motor 126
and
downstream of the cyclone 144, and a post-motor filter (not shown) downstream
of the
suction motor 126 and upstream of the clean air outlet 104, in a post motor
filter
chamber 178 of the suction motor housing 122.
[0054] The pre-motor filter 176 extends across the open top 140 of the suction
motor housing 122, and has an upstream side 180 that faces the cyclone air
outlet 164,
and an opposed downstream side 182 that faces the bottom wall 138 of the
suction
motor housing 122. The pre-motor filter 176 is supported within the suction
motor
housing 122 by an apertured support wall 184 (seen most clearly in Figure 3),
which
extends across the suction motor housing 122. The pre-motor filter 176 is
sized to be
generally snugly received within the suction motor housing 122, such that air
entering
the suction motor housing 122 from the cyclone air outlet 164 passes through
the pre-
motor filter 176, in a direction indicated by arrow A. The pre-motor filter
176 may be any
suitable type of filter. Preferably, the pre-motor filter includes a foam
layer 186 and a
felt layer 188.
[0055] Referring to Figure 4, when the filtration member housing 120 is lifted
off
of the suction motor housing 122, the pre-motor filter 176 is exposed, and may
be
removed, replaced, or cleaned.
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[0056] Referring back to Figure 2, the suction motor 126 is housed within the
suction motor housing 122 beneath the apertured support wall 184. The suction
motor
126 may be any suitable type of suction motor. In the embodiment shown, the
suction
motor 126 extends along a longitudinal axis 190 that is generally vertically
extending.
[0057] The post motor filter is housed in the post motor filter chamber 178
within
the suction motor housing 122 adjacent the suction motor 126, and between the
suction
motor 126 and the clean air outlet 104. Preferably, a second apertured wall
192 is
provided between the suction motor 126 and the post-motor filter. The post-
motor filter
may be any suitable type of filter, such as a HEPA filter.
[0058] It is possible that in some instances, the airflow passage may become
fully
or partially clogged. For example, a large object, such as a ball of hair, may
become
lodged anywhere in the airflow passage, such as in the floor cleaning head
106. For
further example, the pre-motor filter 176 may become clogged with particulate
matter. If
this occurs, the suction motor 126 may burn out. A bleed-valve 101 (shown in
figure 2)
may be provided in the suction motor housing 122. If a clog occurs in the
airflow
passage, the pressure in the suction motor housing 122 will decrease. The
bleed valve
101 is preferably configured to open when the pressure decreases, and allow
air to flow
through the suction motor housing 122 to the clean air outlet 104 so that the
suction
motor 126 does not burn out.
[0059] Referring back to Figure 1 a, as mentioned hereinabove, the floor
cleaning
head 106 includes a brush and a brush motor. Further, the cleaning unit 110
includes
the suction motor 126. Power is provided to the brush motor and the suction
motor 126
by an electrical cord 121. The electrical cord 121 has a first end 123 that
includes a
plug that is releasably engageable with a household electrical outlet, and a
second end
125 that is mounted to the cleaning unit 110 to provide power to the suction
motor 126.
The cleaning unit 110 is electrically connected to the floor cleaning head
106, to provide
power to the brush motor. Specifically, an electrically conductive member 129,
described in further detail below with reference to Figures 6 and 7, is
electrically
connected to the brush motor and electrically connected to the cleaning unit
110.
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[0060] Referring now to Figure 5, as mentioned hereinabove, the surface
cleaning apparatus 100 is convertible. Specifically, the upper section 105 is
removably
mounted to the floor cleaning head 106, together with the wand 116 and hose
117.
When the upper section 105 is removed from the floor cleaning head, the wand
116
may be disconnected from the backbone 114, and used as a nozzle.
[0061] Referring still to Figure 5, in the embodiment shown, the backbone 114
is
mounted to the tubular support member 112 to mount the upper section 105 to
the
surface cleaning head 106. Specifically, the tubular support member 106 is
received in
the backbone 114, and a latch member 127 is provided to secure the tubular
support
106 member therein. The upper section 105 is removable from the surface
cleaning
head 106 by unlatching the latch member 127, and lifting the cleaning unit 110
upwardly, so that the backbone 114 lifts off of the tubular support member
112.
[0062] It will be appreciated that the various elements discussed herein are
for
reference for the discussion of the specific exemplified embodiments and that
the
elements such as the cleaning head, the cyclone, the upper section, the
conversion
mechanism and the like may be of various constructions known in the art. It
will also be
appreciated that some elements that are discussed, such as a bleed valve, are
optional
and need not be in any particular embodiment.
[0063] Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, as mentioned hereinabove, the
cleaning
unit 110 is electrically connected to the surface cleaning head by an
electrically
conductive member 129 that is electrically connected to the brush motor and
electrically
connected to the cleaning unit 110. The electrically conductive 129 member is
releasably electrically connected to the cleaning unit 110, so that when the
cleaning unit
110 is lifted upwardly, the brush motor is electrically disconnected from the
power
source.
[0064] In the embodiment shown, the electrically conductive member 129
comprises a first electrical end 131 mounted to the tubular support member 112
of the
floor cleaning head 106. The electrical conductive member further comprises a
wire 149
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(shown in Figure 1) extending from the tubular support member 112 to the
brush.
Preferably, as shown, at least a portion of the wire 149 is positioned
external to the
upper section 105 and the floor cleaning head 106. The cleaning unit 110
comprises a
second electrical end 133 mounted to the suction motor housing 126. The first
131 and
second 133 electrical ends are releasably engageable, and preferably one of
the first
131 and second ends 133 is receivable in the other. Specifically, the
electrically
conductive member 129 comprises a plug 135 and the cleaning unit comprises a
socket
137. The plug 135 is inserted into the socket 137 as the upper section 105 is
mounted
to the tubular support member 112 of the floor cleaning head 106, and is
removed from
the socket as the upper section 105 is lifted off of the tubular support
member 112 of the
floor cleaning head 106.
[0065] In alternate embodiments, other types of electrical connectors may be
used. Further, the electrically conductive member 129 may comprise a socket,
and the
cleaning unit may comprise a plug.
[0066] Referring back to Figure 5, in order to re-mount the upper section 110
to
the floor cleaning head 106, the backbone 114 may be lowered onto the tubular
support
member 112, such that the tubular support member 112 is received in the
backbone
114, and the latch member 127 may be latched. Preferably, the electrically
conductive
member 129 is automatically connected to the cleaning unit 110 when the upper
section
105 is mounted to the floor cleaning head 106. That is, when the upper section
105 is
lowered onto the tubular support 112, the plug 135 is preferably automatically
inserted
into the socket 138. In order to reconnect the plug 135 and socket 137 when
lowering
the upper section 105, the plug 135 and socket 137 must be aligned. That is,
the upper
section 105 must at a preset orientation with respect to the floor cleaning
head 106, so
that the plug 135 can be inserted into the socket 137 when the upper section
105 is
lowered on to the tubular support member 112. Referring to Figure 8, in order
to
achieve the preset orientation, an alignment member 139 is provided on the
floor
cleaning head 106. The alignment member 139 requires the upper section 105 to
be in
the preset orientation when mounted on the floor cleaning head 106.
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[0067] Referring still to Figure 8, the alignment member 139 comprises guide
members 141 provided on the floor cleaning head 106, and the guide members 141
interact with the upper section 105 as the cleaning unit 110 is mounted to the
upper
section 105. Specifically, the guide members 141 comprise male engagement
members 143 in the form of longitudinally extending splines on the exterior
tubular
support member 112. Further, female engagement members 145 are provided on the
backbone 114 of the upper section 105. The female engagement members 145 are
in
the form of longitudinally extending slots on the interior of the backbone
114. The
female engagement members 145 are separated by abutment members 147. The male
engagement members 143 are slideably engageable with the female engagement
members 145. The male 143 and female 145 engagement members are positioned so
that the tubular support member 112 may generally only be inserted into the
backbone
114 when the upper section 105 is at the preset orientation. Particularly,
referring to
Figure 8, in the orientation shown, the upper section 105 is not at the preset
orientation,
and the male engagement members 143 are not aligned with the female engagement
members 145. Accordingly, the tubular support member 112 may not be inserted
into
the backbone 114, because the male engagement members 143 abut the abutment
members 147. Similarly, referring to Figure 9, the upper section 105 has been
rotated
slightly, however the upper section 105 is still not at the preset
orientation, and the male
engagement members 143 are not aligned with the female engagement members 145.
Accordingly, the tubular support 112 may still not be inserted into the
backbone 114.
Referring to Figures 10 and 11, the upper section 105 has been further
rotated, so that
the upper section 105 is at the present orientation, and the male engagement
members
143 are aligned with the female engagement members 145. Accordingly, the
tubular
support member 112 may be inserted into the backbone 114 while the male
engagement members 143 are inserted into the female engagement members 145,
and
the upper section 105 may be mounted to the floor cleaning head 106.
[0068] Preferably, the alignment member 139 directs the upper section 105 into
the preset orientation as the upper section 105 is mounted on the floor
cleaning head
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CA 02730985 2011-01-31
106. For example, referring back to Figure 8, the abutment members 147 may be
angled towards the female engagement members 145, so that when male engagement
members 143 contact the abutment members 147, the abutment members act as a
camming surface, and guide the engagement members 143 towards the female
engagement members 145.
[0069] In alternate embodiments, the alignment member may be of another
suitable configuration. For example, the male engagement members 143 may be
provided on the backbone 114, and female engagement members 145 may be
provided
on the tubular support member 112. Further the alignment member may be
provided on
the upper section 105, for example on the cleaning unit 110.
[0070] In alternate embodiments, rather that the entire upper section 105
being
removably mountable to the floor cleaning head 106, only the cleaning unit 110
by itself,
or the cleaning unit 110 with some components of the upper section 105 may be
removably mountable to the floor cleaning head 105. In such embodiments, the
cleaning unit may still be removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus
100 in a
preset orientation.
[0071] In the embodiment shown, the cleaning unit 110 is indirectly mounted to
the tubular support member 112, by the backbone 114. In alternate embodiments,
the
cleaning unit 110 may be directly mounted to the tubular support member 112.
In an
alternate embodiment, the alignment member may comprise one or more guide
members, e.g., extension arms, provided on the cleaning unit that interact
with the
upper section when the cleaning unit is mounted on the upper section.
[0072] Various apparatuses or methods are described above to provide an
example of each claimed invention. No example described above limits any
claimed
invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that
are not
described above. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or
processes
having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described above or
to
features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described above.
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