Vacuum cleaner

Details Vacuum cleaner Vacuum cleaner

1999-10-18

2001-07-10

Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)

Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning

Machines

With air blast or suction

C015S337000, C015S339000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06256832

ABSTRACT:

The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner.
A vacuum cleaner, whether industrial or domestic, essentially comprises an airflow path in which is arranged separation apparatus for separating dirt and dust from the air drawn along the airflow path by a fan driven by a motor. It is inevitable that the airflow path will have areas in which blockages can occur. Blockages often occur in areas of the airflow path where there is a change in direction and/or a reduction in cross section. Areas of this type occurring upstream of the separation apparatus are particularly prone to blockage.
The most common type of vacuum cleaner is the upright cleaner. An upright cleaner consists of a ground engaging cleaner head having a downwardly open dirty air inlet or mouth in which is arranged a brush bar or beater. Dirt and dust is dislodged from the carpet or other floor covering by the rotating brush bar or beater and the dirt and dust is drawn into the cleaner head by virtue of the suction produced by the downstream fan. Dirt laden air is then passed to dust separation apparatus before clean air is expelled to the atmosphere. The area of the airflow path between the brush bar or beater and the dust separation apparatus normally incorporates a reduction in cross section and a number of changes in direction. This area of the airflow path is therefore prone to blockage. It is also one of the most awkward areas to access in an upright vacuum cleaner. Indeed, access is often impossible without removing one or more of the structural panels of the cleaner head, none of which is intended by the manufacturer to be removed by a user. Manufacturers often deliberately design the cleaner head casing to be extremely difficult to remove which can then prevent any access at all to the airflow path between the brush bar and separation apparatus. This makes everyday maintenance of the vacuum cleaner difficult, if not impossible, for the user.
A floor tool of a cylinder vacuum cleaner which has an upper cover portion which is removable to allow the brush bar to be removed is known from EP-A-338513. Further, provision of a hopper for discharging a cleaning composition onto the surface to be cleaned having a transparent, removable cover is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,532.
It is an object of the invention to provide a vacuum cleaner which is more easily operated and maintained by the user. It is a further object of the invention to provide a vacuum cleaner from which blockages can be more easily removed. A further object of the invention is to provide a vacuum cleaner whose airflow path can be easily cleaned by the user.
The invention provides a vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim
1
. Further advantageous features are set out in the subsidiary claims.
The provision of access means allowing access to the airflow path gives a user easy access to the airflow path in order to clean the airflow path or remove any blockages. Providing a transparent portion of the outer casing, or a transparent door or panel, allows the user to inspect the airflow path for blockages prior to a user gaining physical access to the access passage and into the airflow path. The provision of an access passage extending between the outer casing and the airflow path is preferred and defines a clear path through which a user's hand or fingers may reach into the airflow path so as to carry out cleaning or removal of a blockage. The provision of a movable or removable door or panel in the outer casing, or a movable or removable outer casing or part thereof, positioned so as to close the access passage during normal operation of the vacuum cleaner is a feature of a preferred embodiment. The outer casing may be made completely transparent if desired. Preferably, a light is provided inside the cleaner head to facilitate visual inspection. Another preferred feature is cut-off means for ensuring that the brush bar or beater is stopped prior to the user's hand or fingers being passed into the airflow path. This is an important safety feature.


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