Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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74320-300
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UPRIGHT VACUUM CLEANER EQUIPPED
WITH ELECTRIFIED STRETCH HOSE AND WAND
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 handle assembly with control
handle pivotally connected to the nozzle assembly and an electrified stretch
hose for powering a separate cleaning attachment.
Background of the Invention
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 handle assembly connected to the
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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
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 and sometimes a wand as well as one or more cleaning
attachments for the hose and/or 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 energy utilized 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
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agitator.
Recognizing this shortcoming, the present invention relates to an
upright vacuum cleaner equipped with an electrified stretch hose 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 entrain dirt and debris and draw it 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 full energy of the airstream 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.
Summary of the Invention
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
handle 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 carried on either the nozzle assembly
or the handle assembly. Additionally, the upright vacuum cleaner includes
a flexible, electrified stretch hose that may also be carried on either the
nozzle assembly or the handle assembly as desired.
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The invention may also include an electrified cleaning wand. Both
the electrified cleaning wand (when provided) and the cooperating, flexible,
electrified stretch hose include three insulated electrical conductors. The
hose also includes a reinforcing wire for strength and structural integrity
and a collapsible wall that allows the hose to be stretched for added length
when cleaning.
The upright vacuum cleaner further includes a cleaning attachment
and a first connector for securing that cleaning attachment to the hose
and/or the wand. The cleaning attachment includes an electrical motor that
receives electrical power through at least two insulated electrical conductors
in the wand and the stretch 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 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 wand and the stretch hose.
In accordance with an additional aspect of the present invention a
second connector may be provided for securing the wand to the stretch
hose. In this embodiment the wand may be removed from the stretch hose
and the hose directly connected to an attachment if desired.
In still another possible arrangement, the wand may include multiple
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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
5 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 or the cleaning attachment
itself.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method is provided for increasing the cleaning versatility and performance
of an upright vacuum cleaner. That method comprises equipping an upright
vacuum cleaner with a flexible stretch 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 stretch hose and/or a wand (if present) 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
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thereby direct the cleaning attachment to provide more effective and
efficient cleaning.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an upright vacuum cleaner, comprising: a housing
including a handle assembly pivotally connected to a nozzle
assembly; a suction generator carried on said housing; a dirt collector
carried on said housing; and a flexible, electrified hose carried on said
housing.
In another aspect, the present invention resides in an upright
vacuum cleaner, comprising a nozzle assembly including an intake
opening; a handle assembly pivotally connected to said nozzle assembly,
the handle assembly including at least one of a first housing section, a
second housing section for mating with the first housing section and a
control handle; a suction generator carried on one of said nozzle
assembly and said handle assembly; a dirt collection vessel carried on
one of said nozzle assembly and said handle assembly; and a flexible,
electrified hose carried on one of said nozzle assembly and said handle
assembly.
Brief Description of the Drawing, Figures
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; and
Figure 2 is a schematical view providing a further detailed
illustration of the structure of the present invention.
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.
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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
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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
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 assembly, generally
designated by reference numeral 20. The handle assembly 20 is pivotally
connected to the nozzle assembly 12. The handle assembly 20 includes a
first housing section 22, a second, mating housing section 24 and a control
handle 25. A suction generator 26, including a cooperating fan and drive
motor, is housed in a compartment within the handle assembly 20.
Additionally, the handle assembly 20 includes a cavity 28 that receives and
holds a dirt collection vessel 30. The dirt collection vessel 30 illustrated
takes the form of a dirt cup. The 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. Alternatively, the open cavity 28 may be replaced with an
enclosed compartment that receives a filter bag in a manner known in the
art.
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
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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 wand 42 and the stretch hose 44 to
the inlet (not shown) of the dirt collection vessel 30. Dirt and debris is
trapped in the vessel 30 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 stretch hose 44 includes a flexible resin body 52 that is
molded around a coiled reinforcing wire 54, a first insulated electrical
conductor 56, a second insulated electrical conductor 58, and a third
insulated electrical conductor 60. The wall of the resin body 52 is
collapsible with resilient memory to assume a retracted or shortened length.
Thus, when the wand 42 and hose 44 are carried on the apparatus 10 in their
designated positions as shown in Figure 1 for normal floor cleaning, the
stretch hose assumes a static length A. In contrast, when the wand 42 is
used for above floor cleaning, the hose 44 may be stretched to a length B
where B is greater than A by extending the collapsible wall of the body 58.
The added length provided by the stretch hose 44 is particularly useful
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when trying to clean with the wand 42 and any associated cleaning
attachments. This is because larger areas may be cleaned without having to
move the main body of the apparatus 10. Further, this benefit is achieved
without having to store an extra length of hose since the resilient memory of
the hose 44 returns the hose to a retracted condition and shorter length A
when not in use.
As illustrated, the first end of the hose 44 is connected to a hose
conduit or fitting 62 carried on the handle assembly 20 of the upright
vacuum cleaner. A two section electrical plug or junction box 64 provides
the electrical connection between the upright vacuum cleaner 10 and the
electrical conductors 56, 58, 60 of the hose 44. A connector 65 at the other
end of the stretch hose 44 provides secure threaded or friction fit connection
with the end of the wand 42. Additional details relating to electrified
stretch 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.
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
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powered cleaning attachment 50. Additional details relating to such an
electrified wand 42 may be gleaned from reviewing, for example, U.S.
Patent 6,148,474 to Ohara et al.
As illustrated in the partially broken away section of the drawing
5 figure, the wand 42, like the stretch hose 44 includes a first insulated
electrical conductor 72, a second insulated electrical conductor 74 and a
third insulated electrical conductor 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
10 electrical conductors 56 and 72, the second insulated electrical conductors
58 and 74, and the third insulated electrical conductors 60 and 76.
As further illustrated in Figure 2, the powered cleaning attachment
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 a 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, 76 of the wand 42 and the
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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 handle assemblies 14, 20 of the upright vacuum
cleaner, the junction box 64, the conductors 54, 56, 60 in the stretch hose
44, the junction box 78, the conductors 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 stretch 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
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.
It should also be noted that the junction boxes 78 and 94 are
identical. Further, the connector 65 will receive and hold the cleaning
attachment 50. Accordingly, the electrical or powered cleaning attachment
50 may be connected directly to the electrified stretch hose 44 if desired.
Accordingly, the electrified wand 42 need not be used or even provided.
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In summary, numerous benefits result from employing the concepts
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
present invention incorporates a rotary agitator that is driven by an electric
motor 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 remains available to draw dirt and debris loosened by that
agitator 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. 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
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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.
