Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – With air blast or suction
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-10
2001-10-02
Moore, Chris K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
With air blast or suction
C015S328000, C015S329000, C015S330000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295692
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly to vacuum cleaners able to be converted into various usability modes. Examples of these different types or modes include upright models, canister models, backpack models, hand-held models, and blowers.
2. Background Information
Canister vacuum cleaners often comprise a vacuum means enclosed in a canister which rests upon the floor surface either in a horizontal or vertical fashion, typically having wheels allowing the canister means to be pushed and/or pulled around.
Upright vacuum cleaners are employed when a canister vacuum is mounted on a rigid, upwardly directed post, pivotally associated with a carpet-sweeper type of suction cleaning tool, usually having a beater bar or brush, adapted for rolling motion upon a floor surface. In such an embodiment, a user grasps a handle and pushes and pulls the vacuum cleaner across the floor surface.
Backpack vacuum cleaners involve taking a canister vacuum and attaching the canister vacuum cleaner, through use of a backpack attachment, to a users back. In such an arrangement the vacuum is often worn as a scuba diver wears a scuba tank. An example of such a backpack vacuum can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. DES. 312,517 (Hohrein, II et al.).
The use of small, hand-held vacuum cleaners is also well known. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,303 to Sarfilippo et al. The use of portable blowers is also known, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,018 to Gallagher, et al.
Various combinations of these different modes have also been disclosed in the prior art. For instance, Lee (U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,254) discloses a dual-mode vacuum cleaner which can be used in both canister mode and upright mode. U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,047 (Lee, et al.) discloses another vacuum cleaner able to be used in both upright and canister modes. A combination canister and upright vacuum is shown in Werner, et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,157). A combination canister (tank) and handheld vacuum is shown in Meyer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,793). Another combination canister and upright vacuum cleaner is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,828 (Clark, et al.) Tapp (U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,536) discloses a dual-mode vacuum cleaner of canister and upright conjunction. Finally, Fleischhauer (U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,395) discloses a canister type vacuum cleaner able to be used in an upright and prone position.
What is needed, and not shown in the prior art, is a cleaning apparatus convertible between upright, canister, and backpack modes, and additionally, handheld and blower modes. The present invention solves these needs.
Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description as follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a cleaning apparatus which is convertible between upright, canister, backpack, handheld and blower modes. The cleaning apparatus has power unit assembly which has an electric motor powering an impeller. In this manner, the power unit establishes a suction which creates an airflow in an in-port and out an exhaust port. The electric motors is connected to a power source, whether that be a standard wall outlet, a rechargeable battery or other means. An on-off means is used to turn the power unit on or off. It is preferred that this assembly be encased within a housing. This housing is capable of attachment to various other components including a base unit through a base unit attachment means or a power head through a head attachment means.
Another component of the cleaning apparatus is a base unit. This base unit contains the filtering means for the vacuuming modes. This filter means is located between an intake port, which can be connected to a hose or other device and, an exhaust port. The exhaust port is able to fluidly connect with the intake port of the power unit assembly. This allows a suction to draw air in the intake port through the filter means and out the exhaust port when the base unit is connected to the power unit assembly. The base unit is also capable of attachment to a backplate with a backplate attachment means. The base unit may have various wheels, caster, or other devices allowing the base unit to either be set in a vertical, horizontal, or other mode.
A handle means may attach to the device, thereby allowing the device to be used in an upright form as standard household vacuum cleaners are used.
Attaching to the base unit or power unit can be a power head. This head is for contacting a surface, and can be used in all forms, particularly when the device is use in its upright form. It is preferred that this head be able to be easily releasably attachable to the power unit or base assembly, preferably through use of an alignment pin or other device.
The device may also comprise a backplate which is capable of being releasably attached to either the base unit or the power unit of the device. This backplate contains a backplate pad, shoulder straps or belts, if necessary, and the engagement means that allows the releasable attachment to a base unit. This backplate allows the apparatus to be worn on a users back in a backpack mode much as a scuba tank is worn by a scuba diver.
The device is further able to be used in a canister mode by placing the base unit as attached to the power unit assembly on a floor surface, either in a vertical, horizontal or other fashion.
The device is also capable of being used in a handheld mode by having the user hold the device in his/her hands through use of the handle means.
It is also envisioned that the device can be used in a blower means by attaching a blower attachment to the exhaust port of the power unit assembly. In such a configuration, it is preferred that the base unit be removed for easier maneuvering of the device, however, it is possible that the base unit can be left on the device. In the blower mode, it is also envisioned that either a carrying cover or other means will be attached to the power unit for assisting in the carrying of the device by an individual, or a shoulder strap could be attached thereby allowing the user to more easily carry the blower means. It is also possible that the apparatus could be worn as a backpack blower.
Also envisioned is the ability to convert to a power tool dust collection system. In such a configuration, the power unit assembly would be able to attach to a bench canister conversion cap. The bench canister conversion cap attaches through a connection or hose to a work bench waste container or canister. This canister further connects through a connection or hose to a particulate substance collector. This collector can be located adjacent to a power tool, such as next to a power saw blade, thereby allowing the embodiment to vacuum and collect saw dust.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2456639 (1948-12-01), Lanter
patent: 3286446 (1966-11-01), Happe et al.
patent: 3310828 (1967-03-01), Clark et al.
patent: 4393536 (1983-07-01), Tapp
patent: 4458377 (1984-07-01), Frohbieter
patent: 4660246 (1987-04-01), Duncan et al.
patent: 4670937 (1987-06-01), Sumerau et al.
patent: 4766638 (1988-08-01), McDowell
patent: 4809395 (1989-03-01)
Dykas Frank J.
Moore Chris K.
Nipper Stephen M.
Pro-Team, Inc.
Shaver Robert L.
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